BNI Appreciates Rp6.4 Billion For Indonesian Badminton Contingent, Greysia Polii And Apriyani Get Rp2 Billion Mutual Funds

Athlete and Official Badminton Awards Night. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI gave an appreciation of a total of Rp. 6.4 billion to all badminton athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and their supporting officials.

BNI provides investment products, namely mutual funds worth IDR 2 billion to gold medalists Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu, mutual funds worth IDR 1 billion to bronze medalist Anthony Ginting and cash to all badminton players and coaches who strengthened the Indonesian Olympic contingent in Tokyo.

"The choice of mutual funds as a form of appreciation is intended to encourage other players and improve financial literacy among sportspeople," said BNI's official statement, quoted from Antara, Thursday, August 19.

BNI emphasized that the company is ready to support the development and sustainability program of Indonesian badminton athletes in the future. This is evidenced by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between BNI and PBSI for the development of Indonesian badminton for the next four years.

SOE Minister Erick Thohir at the Badminton Athlete and Official Award Night held in Cipayung, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 18, said that his background in choosing BNI to be the main supporter of PBSI and national badminton is because BNI and badminton have similarities. Badminton has always consistently carried the good name of Indonesia abroad, as well as BNI.

"BNI is now transforming into an international bank, which not only helps in terms of exports, but also builds a footprint (network) abroad, which can facilitate PBSI in terms of access," he said.

According to Erick, badminton is worth fighting for, both in coaching, improving performance, and regenerating its athletes, because this sport is able to attract the world's attention to Indonesia. One of the proofs is during the victory of Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu, the official Olympic Instagram account posted four times.

"It shows not only being an icon for Indonesia, but also showing that the underdog story for the sports world is also something extraordinary. Their victory is an extraordinary moment for our nation," he said.

On the same occasion, General Chairperson of the Central Board of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PP PBSI) Agung Firman Sampurna said that the success of Indonesian badminton could not be separated from the support of various parties, especially the financial support of the main sponsor, namely BNI.

"Winning at the dramatic Tokyo Olympics was not only excitement when watching, but also brought back something that was lost, namely the reunion of all Indonesians through this sport. Thank you to BNI for all its support," he said.

In addition, as a form of support for the development and coaching of athletes, especially badminton, BNI will donate Rp. 1 billion which will be handed over to PP PBSI to support the Indonesian badminton ecosystem.

In addition, BNI also provided an ambulance to PBSI as a support for the health of badminton stakeholders.