IO – Even though he resigned from the Indonesian Badminton Federation’s national training ground in Cipayung, last May, Tontowi Ahmad’s commitment to the development of badminton in the country has never subsided. Now, by cooperating with the Indonesian sports equipment company, Flypower, the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics gold medalist is determined to support domestic products to be able to compete with similar products from abroad.
Tontowi’s support for Flypower takes the form of cooperative ties. Owi, the nickname of the player born in Banyumas (Central Java), July 18, 1987, has signed a cooperation contract with Flypower, with a contract duration of two years; this can be extended again.
The signing of the cooperation agreement or the MoU was carried out by Owi together with the Director of PT Flypowerindo, Hariyanto Arbi. This historic event took place at the Flypower Office, North Grogol area, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.
“I am proud to conclude an agreement with Flypower. The main reason I joined Flypower was that I wanted to raise domestic products to be able to compete internationally. Besides, I see that the quality of Flypower products is also not inferior to those of current foreign-made badminton products,” Owi said.
Hariyanto Arbi explained that he would like to express his gratitude because world-class players with great achievements like Owi were willing to tie up cooperation with Flypower, which is an Indonesian sports equipment company. This shows Owi’s commitment to supporting the development of national products.
“Thank you to Owi for trusting and supporting Flypower. Owi’s confidence certainly adds to our enthusiasm to continue to grow. This is like our tagline, Flypower from Indonesia to the world,” said Hari, the nickname of the All England champions in 1993 and 1994, and the 1995 World Champion in Lausanne, Switzerland.
For Flypower, this is not the only time signing a famous player. In 2010, the company that was founded in 2002 contracted a world-class partner, Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan. Performing with Flypower products, the best doubles include winning the gold medal at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in 2010. Similar success was repeated in Nitya Krishinda Maheswari. With the support of Flypower, the national player finally made a huge success after winning the Asian Women’s doubles gold medal in Incheon, South Korea in 2014 with Greysia Polii.
According to Owi, the player, who along with Liliyana Natsir has made many great achievements such as, three times in a row won the All England 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2013 World Championship champions in Guangzhou, China and 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland, was very supportive of domestic products in the international market. Now as a form of gratitude to the Indonesian badminton that raised him, Owi is ready to bring Flypower to a more developed stage on the international badminton stage.
“I strongly support the plan for Flypower products to go international. This is a form of my sense of nationalism by loving national products. Hopefully, with the name that I have, Flypower will be even more global,” said the father of two children.
“Frankly, I feel proud to be able to appear in the middle of the field with Flypower equipment. I am sure, the quality of this product will support me in enlivening the badminton stage,” said Owi.
In the future, as explained by Hari, Owi will play a greater role in the development of Flypower products. Armed with a wealth of experience as a badminton player, Owi will be more involved in developing badminton equipment products, especially in the manufacture of rackets, shoes, and other products.
“Armed with a wealth of experience, Owi’s input and advice in choosing materials, designs, and comfort, we will surely be able to produce higher quality Flypower products. This will support players to perform optimally in the field,” hoped Hari. (rp)