Thomas And Uber Cups 2024: A Glitter Of Hope For Indonesia's Badminton Regeneration

JAKARTA Thomas and Uber Cup 2024 in China is a golden opportunity for Indonesian young badminton players to show off. The hope is that the regeneration of this tepok bulu athlete can be accelerated.

Indonesia sent a total of 20 badminton athletes to fight in the biennial event which was held in Chengdu, China from 27 April to 5 May 2024. Of these, the Thomas and Uber teams each won 10 athletes with the target of winning the men's team and the semifinals for the women's team.

At this year's Thomas Uber, there were a number of surprises with the appearance of several young players.

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In the men's singles sector, there is Alwi Farhan who accompanies Jonathan Christie, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, and Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo. Alwi Farhan will only be 19 years old on May 12.

Meanwhile, in the women's team, young players such as Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi, and Ruzana in the single sector, as well as Meilysa Trias Puspitasari/Rachel Allesya Rose in the double sector.

The Trias pair and Rachel are born in 2004 and currently ranked 34th in the world, while Komang Ayu, Ester, and Ruzana were born 2002, 2004, and 2005, respectively. They will work hand in hand with senior players such as Gregoria Mariska Tunjung and Apriyani Rahayu.

Bringing young players to prestigious tournaments like Thomas and Uber is not without risk. However, this decision was taken as an effort by PBSI to accelerate regeneration, an issue that has been said to be the cause of the stagnation of Indonesia's badminton achievements, especially in the women's sector.

Despite his status as the top winner with 14 titles, the appearance of the men's team at the Thomas Cup event can be said to be inconsistent over the last two decades. Indonesia has dominated the Thomas Cup race by winning five times without breaking up since 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002.

But after that, the achievements of the men's team seemed to be adrift. From the next 10 editions, the Thomas Indonesia team only lifted the trophy once from four opportunities to advance to the final, namely in the 2020 edition.

Indonesian women's doubles badminton players Rachel Alllessya Rose (left) and Meilysa Puspitasari (right) beat Hong Kong women's doubles Lui Lok and Ng Wing Yung in the 2024 Uber Cup in Chengdu, China, Saturday (27/4/2024). (Between/Galih Pradipta/aww/aa.

At that time, Indonesia defeated their arch-enemy, China, with a score of 3-0 in the final in Aarhus, Denmark. Jonathan Christie and his friends are expected to defend their title two years later, but beyond the expectation of losing 0-3 to India, who won for the first time.

The fate in the women's team is worse. Indonesia has only won three times Uber, namely in 1975 and in a row in 1994 and 1996. In the last two editions, Mia Audina is still strengthened, which is said to be her senior successor, Susi Susanti. Since then, the Indonesian Uber team has never raised the Red and White flag again. This means that Uber Indonesia has fasted its title for 28 years.

The regeneration of athletes is predicted to be the most crucial problem in the midst of badminton achievements that have not improved, especially in the women's sector. However, the issue is currently being fixed by PBSI, including in the Thomas and Uber events this year by calling on young players.

In the opening match of the group stage against England, Indonesia trusted Alwi Farhan to make his Thomas Cup debut. The owner of the 2023 junior world title beat Cholan Kayan in two straight sets 21-15, 21-12.

Even with the women's doubles Rachel/Trias who beat the Hong Kong pair Lui Lok Lok/Ng Qing Yung through the rubber game 21-16, 20-22, 21-18.

The team manager who is also the Head of the Development and Achievement Division of PP PBSI Ricky Soebagja gave praise for the performance of the young players.

"It's not easy for young players to appear in a team event like this but they managed to get out of the pressure. Although there are still notes that must be immediately recorded by the evaluation team," said Ricky, quoted from the official PBSI website.

The 1996 Olympic winner emphasized that giving experience and flight hours as part of regeneration is the reason Indonesia dares to field young players.

"PBSI always provides a place for talented young players and has the potential to fill the Thomas and Uber teams. The goal is to provide flight hours and experience for them as provision in the future," said the 53-year-old man.

"Therefore, every opportunity given must really be done well by giving maximum. The regeneration of Indonesian badminton is a program that must not be stopped," he said.

By fielding a number of young players in prestigious events like the Thomas Uber Cup, it is hoped that they can become commensurate coatings for the spearheads. That way, those who are debutants in China today are expected to be the mainstays of the 2028 Olympics.

"I convey to the coach how as soon as possible to accelerate these young players, the improvement must be seen. Let's say, for example, those who are still ranked hundreds can penetrate the world's top 70-80, the short-term, long-term programs like what or even their 2028 should appear in the Olympics, "explained Ricky.