Wiranto - JP/Seto Wardhana

A national meeting of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) unanimously elected on Monday Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto as its new chairman, following incumbent PBSI head Gita Wirjawan’s decision to withdraw from the race.

Gita withdrew from the electoral process despite receiving support from at least 12 provincial branches of the association.

“After making thorough considerations, with a heavy heart, I announce my withdrawal from the race for the leadership of the PBSI for the 2016 to 2020 period because of pak Wiranto’s participation. I want pak Wiranto to win with unanimous support from [PBSI] members,” Gita said in his speech.

Responding to Gita’s move, Wiranto, who won support from 18 provincial branches, said he praised Gita for his sportsmanlike attitude and that he would work hard to deliver the goods.

“This gives me extra spirit not to waste this opportunity to improve badminton as a sport in this country to have better performances in the future,” Wiranto said.

The new chief of the PBSI has no background in managing badminton, the country’s sole backbone in winning medals at the Olympics. He, nevertheless, claims to have enough knowledge on the sport.

“There were times when I played badminton as a junior athlete. At that time, I played along with Rudy Hartono, who is now known as a legendary Indonesian shuttler,” Wiranto said quoted by Antara news agency, referring to the eight-time winner of the All England championship from between 1968 to 1976.

“Nowadays, I make time to spar with [former stars] Lius Pongoh [1981 All England semifinalist] and Hariyanto Arbi [two-time All England winner],” he added.

The confident Wiranto claimed he was supported by 19 voters nationwide, meaning an assured win for the former general. The congress recognized 34 votes out of a total 35, including the PBSI as an institution.

In terms of the PBSI’s future ahead, Wiranto promised to soon disclose his “top-notch” program for the association to maintain its successful run achieved under Gita.

“What’s important is implementing immediate reform to ensure harmony within the organization,” said Wiranto.

The PBSI, a role model for other sports federations in the country, carries the heaviest burden as it oversees the sport most likely to garner Olympic medals, as well as achievements in world-class tournaments for the nation.

Under Gita’s four-year reign, the former trade minister oversaw the PBSI when Indonesian colors continued to be flown with sustained gold medal success in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, by mixed-doubles pair Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir and All England titles in 2013 to 2015.

Up next, Indonesian badminton must successfully implement its regeneration program to send its best shuttlers to the 2018 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur and 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, in an effort to continue its golden tradition in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

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