VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

South Kalimantan becomes the overall champion in Amura Karate-Do National Championship 2018 after collecting 18 gold medals, 10 silver and 12 bronze,  and outperforms Jakarta that won 13 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze medals at Pasar Minggu Sports Venue, East Jakarta, Sunday (6/5). While Central Java team must be satisfied in third position with 13 gold medals, 12silver, and 32 bronze, just lost the difference in silver medal. Yogyakarta that entrenched in fourth position also only lost the difference in the acquisition of silver medal with 13 gold, 4 silver, and 12 bronze medals.

Former Chief Executive of PP Amura, Syahril Osen said that Amura Karate team of South Kalimantan came with careful preparation. South Kalimantan indeed deserves the gold medal and the coaching  is great. He added that in other areas outside Java, the karate coaching is developing, such as North Sulawesi, which in this national championship occupied the fifth position with 10 gold, 7 silver, and 10 bronze medals. Amura Karate-Do National Championship 2018 lasted for two days on May 5-6, followed by 574 karateka from 16 Amura provincial governments.

Persija Jakarta failed 3-2 from Home United in the first leg semi-final of Southeast Asia AFC Cup 2018 at Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore, Tuesday (8/5). Goalkeeper of the Kemayoran Tigers Team, Rizki Darmawan admitted that he became one of the causes of his team to go home. Rizki was wrong while anticipating Home United player, Hafiz Nor, at 79^th minute and resulting the final score of the match siding to host 3-2. It was said by Rizki as cited from Persija official page, Wednesday (9/5). When visiting Home quarters, the home team was superior ahead. Maman Abdurahman's goal in the second minute and a goal from Song Ui-young in the ninth minute made Persija left behind 2-0. However, Ramdani Lestaluhu equalized in the 32nd minute and 49th minute. Score a 2-2 draw last long until the game was over. Unfortunately, a goal from Hafiz Nor to Rizki’s goalpost made the final score become 3-2. Even, on the last 10 minutes before the game was over, this made the Kemayoran Tigers be unable to equalize. In the second game, upcoming Tuesday (15/5), it is Persija’s turn that will host the Home at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium. Coach of Persija, Stefano Cuggura said that two goals are an asset at Home. It’s not too bad to face the second leg next week. In the match at Persija quarters later, his team certainly is highly motivated. One of them is the presence of Jakmania supporters who fill the stadium.

Indonesia Pencak Silat team won 6 gold medals, 2 silver, and 2 bronze in Pencak Silat 2018 Open Belgium competition in Schoten-Antwerpen, Belgium on last May 5^th and 6^th. This open tournament was the 23rd time held in Belgium by Bond Pencak Silat Belgium (BPSB), a Belgium Pencak Silat Federation which was established 36 years ago. This was stated by Head of Information and Social Culture of the Indonesian Embassy in Brussels, Ignatius Priambodo on last Tuesday (8/5). This annual championship was attended by 120 athletes from 12 countries, namely Indonesian, Belgium, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Switzerland, United States, Azerbaijan, and Austria. At the opening of the tournament, the Indonesian Ambassador to Belgium, Yuri O. Thamrin appreciated Ludo Pieters, head of BPSB for his effort to introduce Pencak Silat to Belgium and other European countries. Thamrin encouraged the athletes of Pencak Silat from around the world as an ambassador of Indonesian traditional martial art.

Indonesia rated as one of the largest markets Mixed Martial Arts -MMA international championship, considering that many of the championship federations begin to spread their wings by holding competitions at home. This was stated by Chairman of the Professional Sports Agency of Indonesia, Noor Aman on the sidelines of weighing the Brave Fighter’s body in Jakarta, Thursday (10/5). MMA international championship which has entered Indonesia is One Championship. But now, it becomes the Brave Fighting formed by the Prince of Bahrain, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and brings the international fighters to Indonesia. According to plan, the fighters from 15 countries will show their capability in MMA championship held at Sarbini Hall, Jakarta, Friday (11/5). The fighters are coming from the Netherlands, Russia, Jordan, Algeria, Poland, Malaysia, Bahrain, United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

The young racer who has flown in the karting world, Keanon Santoso will compete in F4 Asia Formula Renault 2018 race which becomes his main priority after being vacuum for some time. In a press conference at Kelapa Gading area in Jakarta on Monday, Keanon said that he has been preparing for the 2018 Formula Renault Asia pre-season practice that has been followed since the end of January 2018. In the practice, he recorded 1 minute 56.2 seconds or faster than the targeted time of 1:58 seconds. In the 2018 Asian Formula Renault, for the first time, Keanon will try out the Shanghai International Circuit in China on April 28-29 before competing in the next race. In the preparation, Keanon and his team, ATR Motorsport will go to Shanghai on Friday (20/4) or one week before the racing starts, and will do various training sessions there. During his career in racing, Keanon Santoso has won the overall champion achievement of Junior Rotax Max Challenge Indonesia 2015 and represented Indonesia at the Rotax Max Grand Final World Championship held at Circuito de Algarve in Portugal. In 2016, Keanon won the "double winner" as Eshark Rok Cup Indonesia national champion and Asian Rok Cup champion in the senior class of Rok GP.

Mixed doubles pair -Ronald Alexander / Annisa Saufika won the runner-up position in China Masters 2018 badminton tournament in the Final session held at Agile Stadium, Hainan in China on Sunday. Based on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) page monitored from Jakarta on Sunday, the Indonesian duet, that was named as the first seed, must recognize the superiority of the host couple, Guo Xinwa/Liu Xuanxuan after competing three games for an interminable 55 minutes with a score 17-21, 21-7, 19-21. Ronald and Annisa became the sole representative of Indonesia who qualified in the Super 100 final tournament. Indonesia in China Master 2018 sent pairs of men's doubles, women's doubles, men's and women’s singles as well as mixed doubles.  The host certainly won four titles of China Masters 2018. After the mixed doubles and their women's singles became champions, women's doubles and men's doubles will also belong to China. While in men's singles, Lin Yu Hsien from Taiwan won the title after subduing the host representative, Lu Guangzu with the scores: 12-21, 21-12, 21-14.

Indonesian team of 8 players won The Badminton Tournament held by Dubai Club for People of Determination. The first tournament for disabilities people in the Middle East was held at Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club Sports Center at Al Mamzar Dubai on April 12-15 2018. The tournament was attended by more than 200 players and officials from 23 countries and it’s scheduled to be upgraded as a ranking competition towards qualifying for 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. In the tournament, Indonesian team sent 6 athletes and 2 officials, including physiotherapy physician and team manager. Indonesian team won 4 gold medals and 2 silver medals. Besides Indonesia, the countries that joined 1^st Fazza Dubai The Badminton 2018 are France, England, Ireland, Finland, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong - China, and Australia.

Men's volleyball team of Surabaya Bhayangkara Samator successfully won the Proliga 2018 after mastering the situation and defeating Palembang Sumsel Babel Bank 3-1 (25-22,25-16,23-25 and 30-28) in final match at Yogyakarta on Sunday. In the grand final match held at Amongrogo Sports Arena in Yogyakarta, Surabaya Bhayangkara Samator team  dominated the first two sets. Even in the second set, the team trained by Ibarsyah barely got any meaningful resistance from Sumsel Babel Bank. Coach of Palembang Sumsel Babel Bank, Samsul Jais did not say that despite having to settle in the runner-up position, he remained grateful because his team's journey appearing in the grand final round required a tough struggle. Coach of Surabaya Bhayangkara Samator, Ibarsyah said that the key of the team victory is on three factors namely, mastery "receive" the first ball, service, and block. The factors are the important things to grab points. This is continuously improved from the first round until the grand final round. Meanwhile, Head of The National Volleyball Federation of Indonesia, Commissioner General Imam Sujarwo said that Proliga 2019 will be held earlier than the set schedule which will start in December 2018 because the year -2019 is coinciding with the presidential election.

Minister of Youth and Sport, Imam Nahrawi said at Presidential Office in Jakarta on Monday that President, Joko Widodo hopes that Indonesian men’s double pair, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamulyo could win gold medal in Asian Games 2018. In a meeting, the President also asked them to anticipate rival countries, especially in Asia to be their opponents in the 2018 Asian Games. Moreover, they are expected to win gold medal in Asian Games. Regarding to the competition situation  with the badminton players of Asia nations such as China, Japan, South Korea as well as Thailand, Kevin- Marcus said that all of them are quite competitive; the important thing is that  Kevin and Marcus  are ready. Kevin added that this week, he and Marcus prepared themselves for Thomas Cup. Besides getting the message and spirit from the President, in the meeting at the State Palace, Minister Imam Nahrawi accompanied the All England 2018 champions -Marcus and Kevin when met President Joko Widodo.

Jet ski of Indonesian national team, which is currently in United States for training camp ahead of the 2018 Asian Games, will participate in the international competition in the United States of America.Secretary General of Indonesia Jetsport Boating Association (IJBA), Rinaldy Duyo, when contacted from Jakarta on Wednesday, said that besides training in America, the team will participate in eight to ten international-level tournaments until July.Rinaldy added that sending the jet ski of national team to the United States is to practice, not burdened with a target for achievement in every tournament. The main purpose is to improve the ability and finalize preparations to compete in the upcoming 2018 Asian Games.Since early March 2018, the team has been in United States. Jet ski is one of the sports events to rely on winning gold medal at the biggest four-year championship in Asia, considering Indonesia has potential athletes with world-class achievement.

Indonesian women's tennis team of U14 finally won the last game in the qualifying group phase of the World Junior Tennis Championship (WJTC) Asia/Oceania G14 in Thailand on Wednesday.Based on the tournamentsoftware page monitored in Jakarta, Indonesian team in women’s WJTC qualifying match Asia/Oceania which was held at the AG98 tennis stadium, Muangthong Thani, Nonthaburi, Thailand on Wednesday finally got the first winning in Group D.The victory gained by Indonesia was right when the final bout in this group phase was scored by Indonesian team against Uzbekistan with a score 2-1. Indonesia could first score points through the first single -Komang Gina Kusuma Dewi who toppled Omina Valikhanova 6-4 and 7-6 (3). However, Indonesian team had to lose points after second single -Samantha Edison was conquered by Farida Marimova 2-6 and 3-6. The Indonesian victory was finally obtained in the last party of Komang Gina Kusuma Dewi / Diah Ayu Novita couple Yosri Saputri who were able to defeat Farida Marimova / Maftunabonu Kakhramonova with the score 6-2 and 6-3.With this result, Indonesia plays in the playoff pool 9-16 (groups ranked 3 and 4 in the group phase) and will counter Lebanon as the first opponent in the round that will play this knockout system. Head of Public Relations of PP Pelti, Wynne Prakusya said that playoff opponent from Lebanon has a big chance to win. For the target, he wants Indonesia to sit at ninth rank in the WJTC G14.To achieve the ninth rank, Indonesia must continue to win until the end of the playoffs or three games. While those who are at the end of the qualifying round are ranked 15-16; they must undergo pre-qualification first to enter the WJTC.

The match between Indonesian national team against Malaysia in the 2018 Anniversary Cup tournament at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK) Senayan in Jakarta on March 27^th, is considered to be an evaluation event by Coach Luis Milla. This was stated by Minister of Youth and Sports, Imam Nahrawi in Jakarta on Tuesday.He said that the evaluation is that to what extent the ability of the national team is before undergoing an official match at the 2018 Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang next August. Moreover, the preparation made by the Spanish coach was long enough.Anniversary Cup 2018 is a tournament formed by All-Indonesian Football Association -PSSI to celebrate the birthday of the 88th PSSI. The match itself is held in two places namely GBK Main Stadium and Pakansari Stadium, Cibinong, West Java.Meanwhile, the establishment of U-23 national team continues to be done by coach Luis Milla. He has already prepared the exercise program in accordance with the stages and the implementation is done every month. In addition, the national team has also undergone test matches. One of them is to face Singapore. Despite playing overseas, Awan Seto and his friends were able to win 3-0 over the home team.

Indonesia has chance to be the Host of World Cup.

Chairman of Rumah Gerakan 98, Bernard AM Haloho said in Jakarta on last Wednesday that Indonesia could replace Qatar as the host of World Cup 2022. It is due to bribery case involved former President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter. Thus, FIFA will remove Qatar as the host. Bernard assessed that Indonesia has chance to be the host to replace Qatar because it is Asia countries’ turn to be host of World Cup 2022. Indonesia is considered to have advantage, especially for its non-extreme tropical climate which is different from other Asian countries. Another factor is that football is very popular in Indonesia, while other countries have more popular sports so that it could disturb all sport rhythm overall. Bernard added that in term of infrastructure, Indonesia has 12 big and international standard stadiums spread from Sumatera to Papua based on FIFA assessment. Bernard admitted that ASEAN Football Federation has proposed Indonesia and Thailand as the host of World Cup 2034 in the meeting in Bali more recently. He hoped that President Joko Widodo would convey Indonesia’s readiness to be the host of the World Cup 2022.

Persija Beats Tampines in AFC Championship 2018.

Coach of Persija Jakarta, Stefano Cugurra mentioned that Persija’s victory against Singaporean club, Tampine Rover, with the score 4-1 improved all Persija players’ motivation to play other matches in AFC Cup 2018. Persija Jakarta succeeded to defeat Tampine Rover with score 4-1 in the second match of Group H of AFC Cup 2018 held in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on last Wednesday. Persija’s striker, Marko Simic was the man of the match by scoring hattrick in minute 11, minute 74, and minute 84. Another goal was scored by Rezaldi Hehanusa in minute 41. Meanwhile, Tampine Rover’s striker, Khairul Amri scored one goal in minute 77. The result made Persija rank the third place of the standing of Group H of AFC Cup 2018 with 3 points from one winning. Persija club, so-called Macan Kemayoran, was defeated by Malaysian club, Johor Darul Takzim, in its first match. In another match of Group H, Vietnamese club, Song Lam Nghe An defeated Johor Darul Takzim, with score 2-0 which made the Vietnamese club leader of standings and Johor Darul Takzim is in the second position. Tampines Rover is in the last position because the club never gets victory in the last two matches.

Indonesia Grabs Gold Medal at Soft Tennis Thailand Open 2018.

Indonesian soft tennis athlete grabbed gold medal, silver, and bronze at Soft Tennis Thailand Open 2018. This result makes the chairman of All-Indonesian Soft Tennis Association, Martuama Saragi optimistic to grab gold medal in ASIAN Games 2018 next August. As quoted by Antara News Agency in Jakarta on last Tuesday, Martuama Saragi explained that in the tournament held in the field of Suranaree Technology University, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on February 21-27, 2018, Indonesian team competed with Thailand as the host, Japan, China, Taiwan, Cambodia as well as Mongolia. Indonesia succeeded to grab one gold medal, one silver medal and two bronze medals. Excellently, Indonesia grabbed gold and silver medals from prestigious number of single men in all-Indonesian final between Prima Simpatiaji who succeeded to defeat his junior, Irfandi Hendrawan. Besides, Prima and Irfandi helped Hemat Bakti Anugrah, Gusti Jaya Kesuma and Elbert Sie, who also presented bronze medal from group number. Meanwhile, in women sector, Dede Tari Kusrini succeeded to grab one silver medal in single women. In the quarter final, the tennis player who was born July 18, 1987 could defeat Tzu-Yu Feng of Taiwan with score 3-2 before being defeated in the semifinal by Yuan Yi Yu of China with score 1-4. Indonesia’s soft tennis manager, Hendir Susilo Pramono welcomed greatly the achievement of Indonesian athletes, especially in Thailand Open. He stated that Indonesia eyes for 5 medals at ASIAN Games 2018 that will be held in Bukit Asam Tennis stadium in Jakabaring, Palembang next August. At the Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea four years ago, Indonesian soft tennis presented one silver medal and one bronze medal. The Chairman of Indonesian Olympics Committee, Erick Thohir contacted Olympics Council of Asia to discuss about the cancellation of the removal of 62-kilogram weightlifting number in ASIAN GAMES 2018. Erick Thohir will keep communicating with the Minister of Youth and Sport, Imam Nahrawi to take important steps regarding to the removal of the number by the council. Previously, the Minister of Youth and Sport, Imam Nahrawi has sent a letter to the President of Olympics Council of Asia regarding to the objection of Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee to the decision of Asia Weightlifting Federation about the removal of 62-kilogram number. The objection refers to the meeting of ASIAN Games committee in Jakarta on January 14, 2018 on which the council side did not talk about the removal or addition of sport branches. The objection in ASIAN Games weightlifting number occurred because on February 11, 2018, President of Asia Weightlifting Federation, Mohammed Yusuf Almana sent a letter to Director General of International Weight Federation, Attilia Adamfi about the removal of 62-kg weightlifting number at ASIAN Games 2018 and it was followed up by Olympics Council of Asia.