Ensure 3 Tournaments In Bali Continue Despite WADA Sanctions Threatening, PBSI: This Event Has Long Been Included In The BWF Calendar

Indonesian women's singles Gregoria Mariska Tunjung (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The threat of sanctions from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) awaits Indonesia because it is considered non-compliant with doping. However, the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) has confirmed that the three international badminton tournaments to be held in Bali later this year will still be held.

"There will be no problems in the tournament in Bali. It can take place according to schedule. The three international badminton tournaments can still be held," said PP PBSI's Head of Foreign Affairs Bambang Roedyanto in a PP PBSI press release, as reported by Antara, Friday.

Roedy explained that after news emerged that Indonesia was threatened with WADA sanctions due to non-compliance with anti-doping procedures, he immediately coordinated with BWF. As a result, the three international tournaments that will be held in Bali can still be continued.

The three international tournaments are the Indonesia Masters which will be held on November 16-21, then the Indonesia Open (November 23-28), and closed with the BWF World Tour Finals (December 1-5).

According to Roedy, the use of the name "Indonesia" in three world-class events that will take place in November in Bali, is still permitted by BWF. The reason is that this event has long been included in the BWF calendar.

It was previously reported that North Korea, Thailand and Indonesia were declared non-compliant by WADA, so these countries did not qualify for the right to host regional, continental or world championships during the suspension.

Representatives from the three countries are also ineligible to sit as board members on the committee until their country is reinstated from suspension or for a term of one year, whichever is longer.

Athletes from the three countries will be allowed to compete in regional, continental and world championships but their national flags will not be flown other than at the Olympics.

WADA said North Korea and Indonesia's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO) was declared non-compliant for not implementing an effective testing program. Thailand's non-compliance stems from the failure to fully implement the 2021 Anti-Doping Code.