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C. Java governor offers to mediate in KPAI, PB Djarum dispute
The move was made in response to the KPAI’s accusations that PB Djarum had been exploiting its potential players.
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Tryouts held by PB Djarum badminton club in Purwokerto, Central Java, in early September 2019. (pbdjarum.org/pbdjarum.org)
C
entral Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo has expressed his willingness to mediate a dialog between the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) and PB Djarum after the badminton club decided to temporary halt tryouts next year.
The move was made in response to the KPAI’s accusations that PB Djarum had been exploiting its potential players, many of whom are children, by making them wear T-shirts bearing the PB Djarum logo – which is very similar to that of cigarette brand PT Djarum – as a form of promotion.
“If KPAI doesn’t approve of the logo, then let’s talk about the design and layout. But that doesn’t mean that we have to stop everything,” Ganjar said in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday
PT Djarum has been a supporter of Indonesian badminton since 1969 when it started PB Djarum at its headquarters in Kudus, Central Java. Since then, the club has produced world-class players who have won national and international competitions, from the Sudirman Cup to the Olympics, such as Kevin Sanjaya Sukomuljo, Liem Swie King and Muhammad Ahsan.
Ganjar said his province was ready to facilitate a dialog between the KPAI and PB Djarum as Central Java also relies on PB Djarum for polishing the skills of its badminton talent.
“I’m ready to start a dialog with them because it is also related to [PB Djarum’s] tryouts, which are usually held in several cities in Central Java. We have a big interest in this; so that our talented athletes can be champions,” he said.
He added that it was important for the government to get the full support of private institutions to develop and manage its athletes because it would be hard for the government to do so on its own.
“It is a good thing that we have the private sector getting involved in the development of badminton. And they have been doing it for decades, so we should not stop it. Nowadays, it’s difficult for me to encourage more private companies to get involved in sports development, so we should not stop what’s been going well.”
