Two Indonesian Badminton Players Appeal Regarding Match-fixing Case

JAKARTA - Two of the eight Indonesian badminton players who stumble in a match-fixing or match-fixing case will appeal to the Sports Arbitration Court (CAS) against the verdict handed down by the World Badminton Federation (BWF).

The two players are Agripinna Prima Rahmanto Putra and Mia Mawarti.

During their visit to the PBSI National Training Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, Monday, Agripinna and Mia decided to appeal to CAS in Switzerland because they felt they were not guilty of engineering the results of matches or gambling.

“My mistake was not reporting the gambling to BWF. But as a player, I didn't even know if not reporting was against BWF Ethics. I also don't know who to report to. I know that the BWF Ethics violation is just a matter of gambling, "said Agripinna as quoted by Antara from the official Badminton Indonesia website.

Agripinna, who was sentenced to a six-year ban and fined US $ 3,000, said she was just a victim. The reason is, he never made a score fixing when competing at the 2017 Vietnam Open as alleged.

The allegation that he made a bet with Hendra Tandjaya, according to him, is not true. He would only treat Hendra to a meal at a fast food restaurant if Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka, whom he was championing, won the match against Hashiru Shimono from Japan who was currently competing. However, Agri's choice was entered into Hendra's online gambling account.

As for Mia's case, she was accused of having agreed to and received Rp10 million from gambling proceeds, did not report gambling to BWF, and did not attend interviews or invitations to investigation by BWF.

For her mistake, Mia was sentenced to 10 years and fined 10,000 US dollars.

"Regarding the sentence, I appealed to the CAS Court to overturn the BWF decision," said Mia, who is now defending the Semen Baturaja club, Palembang.

The 24-year-old player admits that the money from the agreement with Hendra is an allowance for him during the championship. Mia also did not know that the money came from gambling by Hendra.

"Then in terms of accusations that I agreed to be retired at the New Zealand Open 2017 in the women's doubles party, it is also completely untrue. In fact, I argued with Hendra in the middle of the field. I didn't want to be retired but Hendra as the official asked the referee to stop the match by calling me. it is impossible to continue the match due to injury. Even though I was not injured, "said Mia.

Deputy Secretary General of PP PBSI, Eddy Sukarno, stated that PBSI is ready to assist and assist in filing an appeal against the case that befell Indonesian badminton athletes.

"Because they are still PBSI residents, when they ask for help and protection, of course we help and accompany them," said Eddy.

The memory of the appeal that has been signed by the player, said Eddy, will be sent soon.

Meanwhile, Putri Sekartaji, who also attended the meeting with PP PBSI, said that she would not appeal and accept the sanctions imposed by BWF, namely 12 years suspension and a fine of 12,000 US dollars.