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PB Djarum’s audition suspension regretted by supporters but praised by some
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An audition session by PB Djarum badminton club in Purwokerto, Central Java in early September, 2019. (pbdjarum.org/pbdjarum.org)
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B Djarum’s latest decision to temporarily halt its general badminton auditions starting next year quickly garnered mixed reactions. Supporters called the decision a huge loss for the country’s badminton landscape, but naysayers simply dismissed it as just another decision that could be easily changed.
Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi said he regretted the decision, saying that the audition clearly contained no indications of children exploitation.
“We have seen the outstanding results in the form of top players who bring us medal after medal for years,” he said as quoted by Antara news service on Sunday.
Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) secretary-general Achmad Budiharto expressed regret over the foundation’s move to put auditions on hold, noting this would amount to a big loss for the training of the country’s badminton athletes. He said he expected the foundation to reconsider the suspension.
“I fully respect the foundation’s decision, even though I still expect them to reconsider,” he said.
The head of the PBSI’s development and achievement department, Susy Susanti, said she failed to find any evidence for the claim that youngsters were being exploited by the cigarette industry.
“What we do here is pure sport. The program needs support rather than suspicion,” said Susy.
