IO – Indonesian men’s doubles badminton athlete Hendra Setiawan expressed his regrets at Indonesia’s decision to withdraw its badminton team from the BWF World Championship in Huelva, Spain, 12-19 December. General Chairman of the All Indonesia Badminton Association’s Central Management (Pengurus Pusat Persatuan Bulu Tangkis Seluruh Indonesia – “PP PBSI”) Agung Firman Sampurna announced this decision to the media on Wednesday, 8 December. With this decision, Indonesia will directly prepare itself for 2022 tournaments.
However, Hendra admitted that he finally can accept the reasoning behind the decision. He is aware that in view of Europe’s recent spike in Covid-19 cases, especially with the spread of the Omicron variant. “I really regretted it at first; it’s the World Championship, after all. But I know that the decision was made after thorough deliberations. Plus my partner Mohammad Ahsan recently suffered an ankle injury and his checkup is not yet completed. We don’t know yet how badly he was injured, or how long will it take him to recover,” he said.
Agung made the decision to ensure the safety of players after having gotten input from members of the Management, coaches, and the Head of the Presidential Directive Division. Earlier, as reported by PP PBSI Executive Chairman Alex Tirta to him, the decision to cancel the departure of the Badminton Team previously under the mentorship of the Cipayung National Training Scheme to the World Championship was made for the above reasons.
Originally, PBSI National Training Scheme in Cipayung was going to send out 13 representatives to the BWF World Championship 2021: Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Jonatan Christie, Shesar Hiren Rhustavito (men’s single); Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Ruselli Hartawan (women’s single); Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/ Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan, Fajar Alfan/Muh. Rian Ardianto, Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin (men’s doubles); Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu (women’s doubles); Praveen Jordan/Melati Daeva Oktavianti, Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari, and Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati (mixed doubles). (rp)