Indonesian Badminton Fasting Uber Cup Title For 28 Years

JAKARTA The Indonesian title drought in the Uber Cup is likely to continue after the women's badminton team is targeted to only reach the semifinals of this year's edition.

Indonesia has fasted for the title in the women's team event for 28 years. The last time the women's team brought home the Uber Cup trophy was in 1996 when it was held in Hong Kong.

Head of PBSI's Achievement Development Division, Ricky Soebagdja, said that this year the women's team had not been charged with bringing home the prestigious trophy. The semifinals are the most realistic targets.

"The focus is to win the group phase first. After that, we will see the next strategy," said the 1996 Atlanta Olympics men's doubles gold medalist in a statement.

A total of 10 women's badminton players were sent to face the 2024 Uber Cup. Including the group is the Indonesian mainstay women's singles, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.

The other nine names brought were Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi, Ruzana, Apriyani Rahayu, Siti Fadia Silva, Lanny Tria Mayasari, Ribka Sugiarto, Meilysa Trias Puspita, and Rachel Alllessya Rose.

Ricky said that Indonesia has good capital from the squad, especially the Lanny/Ribka doubles pair who are champions of the Swiss Open 2024 and May/Rachel won the Orleans Master 2024.

"We have good capital. Grego is increasingly finding the right format. For doubles, we still need to include Apri/Fadia as the first double," said Ricky.

Historically, Indonesia has won the Uber Cup three times (1975, 1994, and 1996). China dominated this event with 15 titles, followed by Japan with six titles, and Indonesia in third place.

The 2024 Thomas & Uber Cup Championships will take place from 27 April to 5 May 2024 in Chengdu, China. In the group phase, the Indonesian Uber team is in Group C with Japan, Hong Kong, and Uganda.