Badminton is a big sport for Indonesia. This sport has received the most public attention besides football. The most exciting thing was that during the All England 2021 event, the three Indonesian teams were not allowed to compete. This was admitted by Zainudin Amali himself, as Minister of Youth and Sports of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet. He emphasized that all players, coaches, officials and stakeholders must learn from the failure of the Indonesian team to compete in the oldest badminton event in Prince Charles' country. Amali also talked about the preparation for the XX Papua PON in 2021 and the goal of holding the 2021 Menpora Cup football tournament.
***
The corona pandemic that has spread to almost all corners of the world has a very broad impact. This condition has a significant effect on everything. Business activities change, learning changes methods go online, art and cultural performances stop and sports activities are very limited. Competition activities that involve spectators are eliminated. After things sloped down, the match started but without any spectators. This very limited situation must be lived to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, aka covid-19.
The badminton tournament has started rolling in early 2021. The three badminton tournaments at Impact Arena, Bangkok (Yonex Thailand Open, TOYOTA Thailand Open, and BWF Tour Finals 2020) have been successful even though not all countries have participated. Furthermore, the Swiss Open will be held and the classic and prestigious All England 2021 event. The Indonesian squad itself hopes to be able to "talk" a lot through this oldest tournament.
For example, the world number one pair Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo are very much awaited for their actions after Kevin was absent due to being positive for Corona. In addition, other players, both from Indonesia and from other countries, are also very much awaited for their work. It is undeniable that The Minions (Marcus-Kevin) is one of the biggest draws for this grand event.
In addition, the XX Papua 2021 National Sports Week (PON) agenda was overshadowed by delays, due to yet another corona pandemic. Moreover, the implementation of PON this time is considered historic, because this is the first time it has been done in Cendrawasih Earth during this national sports event.
And what is no less exciting is the 2021 Menpora Cup football tournament. No different from other events held during the pandemic, the fear that this event will never be held also haunts. However, with various considerations and careful preparation, finally, this event which became a thirst for players, officials, and football players were successfully carried out with strict health protocols.
SEE ALSO:
-
| BERITA
Sukseskan PON XX Papua, DPD Beri Solusi Dukungan Anggaran untuk KONI Daerah
01 April 2021, 14:36
The Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Zainudin Amali, shared these three big themes enthusiastically to Iqbal Irsyad, Edy Suherli, Savic Rabos, and Irfan Meidianto who met him in a special interview on the 10th floor of the Kemenpora Office, Gerbang Pemuda Street, Gelora, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, last week. Here is the report.
Zainudin Amali Invites to Learn from Failures in the All England 2021
As a Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Zainudin Amali paid special attention to the Indonesian badminton team which failed to show off at the All England 2021 event. In fact, for the players, coaches, and other officials, this is a momentum to prove hard work after being absent for so long due to the pandemic. "We are disappointed with this incident. The children had been prepared in advance with the intention of going to compete, but they couldn't," he said.
He considered that the Indonesian team had experienced injustice. "Our badminton team has already competed and someone has just arrived and is declared to have to be quarantined. But everything was stopped and removed from the field. Those out of the arena are not allowed to use the lift and shuttle bus that the committee has prepared,” he said softly.
What made the man who was born in Gorontalo, March 16, 1962, even more furious was because there were participants from other countries and indicated that they had Covid-19, but they could join the Tournament after the test results were negative. Meanwhile, Indonesian players do not get such opportunities.
One more thing that was not taken into account by the organizers was that this incident was unpredictable. Our players did not know beforehand that one of the passengers on the plane they were traveling on was positive for corona. Because all Indonesian players become victims.
Amali criticized the organizers of the All England 2021 and BWF for this unpreparedness. "We are carrying out activities in the midst of a pandemic, so things like this can be anticipated. And what makes me angry about the organizers is they seem to let go of responsibility, by delegating it to the British NHS (National Health Service)," he said, accusing the organization and the BWF (Badminton World Federation) of being unprofessional, non-transparent and discriminatory.
He is aware that as an official his comments are very harsh on this matter. However, if that is not the case, the reaction from the organizers is too normal in the judgment of this man who is also a politician from the Golongan Karya party. "After that BWF sent a letter of apology to the President, the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Indonesian Badminton Association, and to the people of Indonesia. They realize that Indonesia is a big country in badminton. They hope that Indonesian athletes will take part in other world badminton events," he said.
The next step that Amali takes is to save mentally the players after their failure to compete. “Personally I am angry and disappointed by what happened to our badminton team. However, as the Minister of Youth and Sports, my response is proportional and measurable. Hopefully, this kind of treatment does not apply to our team, because there are three more tournaments that are safe to determine before the Olympics," he explained.
Apology from Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen, as President of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), do you think it is enough to solve this problem? "From our point of view, I hope this kind of incident will not be repeated in the future and the children will be saved. There are three more tournaments that have points to go to the Olympics. The children were sent home earlier than the quarantine provisions and they were provided with enough food while waiting," he said.
Amali understands the disappointment of the Indonesian people that is poured out through social media. But he cautioned not to overdo it. “I think that expressions of anger and disappointment are normal, just don't threaten and too brutal, that's not allowed. Just proportional anger. Social media makes it easier for us to express our attitudes. We have to use social media wisely," he said.
Not only Indonesia who feels unhappy with the lack of participation by the Indonesian team and other big countries like China. This incident injured the implementation of the All England which has been rolling for a long time. All parties said Amali must take lessons from this incident. “I pick them up at the airport when they get home. So they were touched when my team and I picked them up at the airport even though they were not competing. Stay enthusiastic for the next event," he said.
Preparation for PON XX Papua 2021, here's Zainudin Amali's Explanation
XX National Sports Week (PON) will be held from October 2 to October 13, 2021, if there are no obstacles. According to Zainudin Amali, preparations for this grand event are continuing, starting from the venue for the match and also for the athletes' accommodation. "Preparations are still ongoing as planned, but we have not decided whether the match will be with spectators or without spectators. Because the pandemic is still unknown whether it will end when the PON is implemented," he said.
However, continued Amali according to President Jokowi's direction, to participate in this event all athletes, coaches and officials must have been vaccinated. In addition, people who live around the venue of the match must also have been vaccinated. "So if they are allowed to watch, the condition is they should already have protection," he explained.
He hopes that the conditions in Papua have already sloped related to the corona pandemic. This PON is the region's prestige and has become a benchmark for sports coaching that has been carried out so far. "Hopefully this pandemic can slope and we support the government's efforts to make Covid-19 decrease and sports activities can run. All prepare and implement the XX Papua PON according to plan," he said.
Menpora Cup 2021 Can Be a Benchmark
It has been almost a year since professional football players in Indonesia have been taking a break due to the pandemic. The Menpora Cup was predicted as a pilot tournament to face the new normal period after being affected by the pandemic.
“This Menpora Cup is here to answer the wishes of the club and all football stakeholders. The result of this research is that 72% of Indonesian people like football. Many people who depend on football have lost their income. A lot of things have been affected because the tournament doesn't exist. The tournament has stopped during this year, the money lost is around Rp. 1 trillion, that's the PSSI calculation. Many do not get salary and other benefits,” he said.
What concerns Zainudin Amali is how a football tournament can run, but health protocols must be implemented. Then he invited a meeting of various parties. Starting from the National Police (POLRI), Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), NIB, Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Covid Task Force, and football club owners and supporter leaders. "I said there must be a commitment from club owners and supporter leaders, not to come to the stadium and there are no crowds, parades and the like. I then went forward and got permission to hold this Menpora Cup," he continued.
The Menpora Cup is a test for all of us football stakeholders. If this event is successful it will be applied to other events such as the regular League 1 and League 2 competitions the permit will be issued. "So this tournament is a benchmark," he said. Amali really oversees the preparations, starting from the match venue, the warm-up location, and so on.
All players must have a swab test before competing, as well as coaches, officials, and so on. "I myself also have a swab test when I was going to review the match," he said.
Amali has an unforgettable historical record in his life when the Covid-19 outbreak began. "I opened the match, two hours later I was the one who had to stop the football match because the development of Covid-19 was increasing. How about those who have been prepared to compete? I emphasize that PSSI must pay players who are prepared but don't compete,” he said.
He hopes that the Menpora Cup can be a benchmark for the return of professional football competition in Indonesia.
[/ read_more]
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
Related News
