Badminton body marks its 45th anniversary
Badminton body marks its 45th anniversary
JAKARTA (JP): "For you, my Indonesia," reads the white words
on the high viridian wall. Underneath are pictures of the Red and
White national flag flanked by the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup.
The wall is at the Cipayung badminton hall, where Indonesia's
shuttlers, the world's finest, practice every day. The hall is
almost a second home for them. But yesterday morning there was
something special in the hall of the Badminton Association of
Indonesia, which was founded on May 5, 1961.
The country's all-time best shuttlers gathered to celebrate
the association's 35th anniversary. They paid homage to the
association's founding fathers and to those who have done the
association proud.
They were also there to see off part of themselves, the
country's Thomas and Uber Cuppers, who will leave for Hong Kong
tomorrow to defend the trophies from May 16 to May 26.
They sang a special song. Badminton is my soul. Sportsmanship
is my breath. Red and White is the symbol of my loyalty. We shall
seize the world's supreme badminton prizes, the Thomas Cup and
Uber Cup, even if this shall mean our deaths.
One hundred and ninety two medals were then presented as a
token of appreciation. Among the recipients were Tan Joe Hok, the
first Indonesian to win the men's singles crown in the 1959 All
England championships, 1983 world champion Icuk Sugiarto and
former training director of the association M. F. Siregar.
When lunchtime came the Thomas and Uber Cuppers were the first
to attack the food.
It was time for networking. Coach Indra Gunawan pointed out
that Indonesia has the advantage of having four of the world's
top shuttlers with more or less equal skills. They are Joko
Supriyanto, Hariyanto Arbi, Alan Budikusuma and Ardy B. Wiranata.
"No other countries enjoy such advantage," Indra said.
Icuk Sugiarto said the Uber Cup team of two years ago was
better than today's team. But he quickly added that the chance of
retaining the Uber Cup was always there. "There is no player,
however good she or he is, that always remains unbeaten," Icuk
encouraged.
Tan Joe Hok warned that Malaysia's Thomas Cuppers were dark
horses. "If possible, we should avoid Malaysia. Their doubles
players are very solid. South Korea is also good. But it relies
too much on the skills of their individual players such as Park
Sung-woo and Kim Hak-kyun."
Former badminton legend Iie Sumirat did not see much
difference between the present Thomas Cup team and the team
of two years ago. "What is important is that they must maintain
their unity as a team. Malaysia, China and Denmark still remain
our traditional foes," said Iie, best known for his spectacular
wins over China's legendary greats Hou Chia Chang and Thong Shien
Hu in the 1978 Asian Badminton Championships in Bangkok.
Icuk, Joe Hok, and Iie all talked excitedly about their own
experiences. And the Thomas and Uber Cuppers themselves? They
said, of course, that they are ready for the war. In the hall
which is all too common for them, are the words and the pictures
on the wall still speaking to them? Hopefully. (arf)