Istora Senayan Becomes Indonesian Witness To Win The 1961 Thomas Cup

President Soekarno and Indonesia's first Thomas Cup trophy 1958. (X/@Gitawiryawan)

JAKARTA - Indonesian badminton players were not seeded at the 1958 Thomas Cup. Indonesian athletes were underestimated. In fact, Indonesia is considered nothing more than an onion child. In fact, the Indonesian team was able to insist and win. The trend is like fuel when competing in the 1961 Thomas Cup.

Moreover, Indonesia was asked to host. The Thomas Indonesia team met Thailand in the final. Both teams are confident to win. Even though the issues surrounding Thailand used'magic' to spread. However, the mentality of the Thomas Indonesia Team did not fade.

Indonesian badminton athletes were once underestimated in the 1958 Thomas Cup celebration which took place in Singapore. The narrative surfaced because the Indonesian team had not even won the gold trophy in the symbol of the supremacy of the men's team badminton world.

All because of the shadow of defending champion Thomas Cup, Malaysia. The neighboring country team is considered the strongest. Instead of being the strongest in terms of badminton athletes alone, Malaysia is also strong in terms of funding.

Things are different from the Thomas Indonesia Team. The matter of personal achievements of Indonesian athletes can be pitted. The problem arises precisely in terms of funding. The government is considered unable to fully fund the Thomas Indonesia Team.

The spirit of Indonesian badminton has increased. The problem of shortfall in funds was immediately solved with low funds. The Indonesian team also managed to go to Singapore. The badminton squad at that time was strengthened by Tan Joe Hok (Bandung), Eddy Joesoef (Jakarta), Lie Poo Djian (Purwokerto), Tan King Gwan (Salatiga), Njoo Kiem Bie (Surabaya), Olich Solichin (Tasikmalaya), and Ferry Sonneville (Jakarta).

They managed to prove that Indonesia is not an onion child. Indonesia was able to win over Malaysia with a score of 6:3 in the final. The victory made the Indonesian badminton squad nicknamed the Magnificent Seven.

They were greeted like heroes when they returned to Indonesia. The success was tried again in organizing the 1961 Thomas Cup. Indonesia is more confident because the implementation took place in Indonesia. Or at Istora Senayan.

Thomas Indonesia's team is filled by a squad not far from the Magnified Seven squad. Thomas Indonesia's team then won the privilege of defending champions. They just have to wait for the challenger to be challenged round which is the top party for the title.

This means that Indonesia needs one game to become a champion. The opponent waiting for Indonesia is Thailand. The Thomas Indonesia team did not underestimate Thailand. Even the Thai issue of using'magic' to win is starting to boom. Even though the Indonesian team was not afraid.

At that time there were rumors that Njoo Kiem Bie was exposed to magic, because at that time Bangkok was called strong. I still don't believe it. I believed in God and practice. At that time Njoo Kiem Bie played staggered like an unconscious person," said Tan Joe Hok as written by Permata Tegar Idaman and Nafielah Maheasy in the book Thomas Cup: History of the Greatness of Indonesia (2022).

Indonesia appears confident against Thailand. Indonesia was able to contribute points from Tan Joe Hok who played in the men's singles. Ferry Sonneville then followed Tan Joe Hok to add points for Indonesia. However, Indonesia gave up twice in the men's doubles class.

The first day was closed with a draw, 2-2. However, Indonesia did not want to be ashamed in front of its own supporters. The Thomas Indonesia team immediately stepped on the gas in the remaining five matches. Istora Senayan's fill thundered.

On the second day, Indonesia managed to get three additional points from the men's singles. Each from Eddy Joesoef, Tan Joe Hok, and Ferry Sonneville. The remaining one victory emerged from the Indonesian men's doubles, Tan Joe Hok/Lie Po Djian. Indonesia only lost to Ferry Sonneville/ Tan King Gwan's men's doubles party.

Indonesia also ended the match with a score of 6:3. The victory was greeted with great fanfare. The victory again of the Indonesian Thomas Cup Team further emphasized that Indonesia is the new king in the world badminton map.

The story that followed the success of 1958 is the success story of the men's team. This happened until 1964. 1961, when Thomas Indonesia's troops again made success by defeating Thailand, the athletes won awards from the government. At that time, for the first time the Satyalencana of Culture was awarded to sportsmen," said Brigita Isworo L. and TD Asmadi in the book1000 of the Years of the Archipelago (2000).