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)