VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Speaker of House of Representatives Puan Maharani. (ANTARA PHOTO/Galih Pradipta/foc/rst) - 

Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani lauded the Indonesian men's badminton team for winning the Thomas Cup after beating the team from China.

"Our badminton women's doubles won the first gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Now, we won the Thomas Cup. This year is a moment of revival for Indonesian badminton," Maharani noted in a statement here on Monday.

The House speaker expressed pride and extended her gratitude to all Indonesian athletes, coaches, and badminton officials for winning the Thomas Cup for the 14th time, since last having won in 2002.

Maharani was grateful despite the Indonesian flag not being hoisted during the trophy ceremony at the Thomas Cup since Indonesia was sanctioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

"When athletes, coaches, officials, and all Indonesian people join in singing the national anthem 'Indonesia Raya' with their right hands on their chests, that is when our flag is actually waving," she emphasized.

The House Speaker expressed happiness, as Indonesia was finally able to beat China's team, which almost in the course of the last two decades, had dominated as the Thomas Cup champions.

The hard work of the Thomas Indonesia team also succeeded in thwarting China from becoming the defending champion in the prestigious badminton tournament.

"Currently, Indonesia had exceeded China's championship titles in the Thomas Cup. Indonesia already has 14 championship titles, while China only has 10 titles. It is a matter of great pride because Indonesian badminton has risen precisely during the COVID-19 pandemic," he stated.

Maharani also expressed optimism that the government and related agencies would immediately resolve the issue with WADA, as Indonesia cannot host regional and world sports championships if the sanction is still imposed.

The issue with WADA will tarnish Indonesia's good name in sports, especially since the Indonesian team is not allowed to carry the name and fly the country's flag in regional, continental, and world championships, except for the Olympics, according to the speaker.

She called on the government to channel greater attention to badminton, in terms of the coaching and budget, since the sport has the potential to contribute several achievements to Indonesia.

Earlier, the Indonesian Badminton Team successfully won the Thomas Cup after beating China's team, with a score of 3-0, in the final match at Ceres Arena, Aarhus, Denmark, October 17.

This success was achieved after Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto, and Jonatan Christie defeated players of China's team in three games in a row//ANT