Taufik pulls out of All-England event

JAKARTA - INDONESIA'S Olympic badminton champion Taufik Hidayat has withdrawn from next month's All-England Championships.

The Indonesian media reported yesterday that he had fallen out with the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).

He had disagreed with the association's decision to allow two men's doubles teams to compete in the tournament, despite the fact that they had broken regulations.

The players - Markis Kido, Luluk Hadiyanto, Alvent Yulianto and Flandy Limpele - had taken part in an event in Papua last December without the PBSI's consent.

The association had banned them from taking part in Swiss Open.

But Taufik, twice an All-England finalist and a former world champion, wanted them also to be barred from the March 6-11 event.

The decision reportedly upset Taufik and he threatened to pull out of the All-England unless PBSI changed course.

The talented 25-year-old has a history of off-court antics and frequent disputes with his national association.

PBSI officials with have confirmed the decision but failed to provide a reason, reported The Jakarta Post.

Said Lius Pongoh, the official in charge of training: 'We still have his ticket and hotel reservations. But Taufik will not compete at the All-England.'

The All-England title is the only major title Taufik has not won.

He told The Jakarta Post: 'I want it badly, but now I am facing this.'

REUTERS