Puan Maharani Gives Spirit to the Indonesian Thomas Cup Team that Advances to the Finals: Let's End China's Domination!

Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, gave encouragement to the Thomas Cup Indonesia Team which advanced to the final round of the 2020 Thomas Cup.

Puan Maharani appreciates the success of the Indonesian badminton team advancing to the final round of the 2020 Thomas Cup which will be held this year.

According to Puan, it was a moment to restore Indonesia's glory in the world badminton event.

"Congratulations to Kevin Sanjaya/Marcus Fernaldi, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto, and Jonatan Christie's men's singles successfully advancing to the final. Let's finish it! It's been 19 years since the Thomas Cup has not come to Indonesia," said Puan, quoted from Antara, Sunday 17 October.

Indonesia last won the Thomas Cup in 2002. Throughout the Thomas Cup, Indonesia won 13 titles.

The Thomas Cup 2020 final will bring together Indonesia and China again. Since Indonesia fasted to get the Thomas trophy, China has won 6 times.

"This is a moment to restore the dominance of the Indonesian team from China in the last two decades," said Puan.

The Thomas Cup final on Monday 17 October 2021 will be the 20th final for Indonesia at the biennial badminton event.

Puan invites the whole community to give encouragement to the Thomas Indonesia team.

"Let's support so that today Indonesia can win against China and bring back the Thomas Cup victory trophy," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

The first woman to serve as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives also asked the Indonesian team to keep the spirit even though the Red and White flag could not be raised in the Thomas Cup event this time.

Even though the red and white will be replaced by a flag with the PBSI logo, Puan is sure that this will not dampen the spirit of the Indonesian team.

"Don't be discouraged because the red and white can't be flown if you win because we can still fly it on our chests. Red and white on my chest, Indonesia Raya in my veins," said the grandson of the Indonesian Proclaimer Sukarno.

The ban on raising the red and white flag is related to problems with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) because the Indonesian Anti-Doping Agency (LADI) could not fulfill the 2020 doping plan (TDP) test and also has not fulfilled the TDP for 2021.

Puan regretted the negligence of LADI, which was unable to meet the requirements for the doping test program. In fact, there was an opportunity from WADA to provide clarification, as did Thailand and North Korea so that they were not sanctioned.

"This is not the fault of the players, and it can have an impact on all sports. If indeed the target for the doping test procedure cannot be met due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LADI should be able to convey the reason before the deadline from WADA," said Puan.

In addition to the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup 2020 events, sanctions regarding doping tests can also threaten Indonesia's position as the host of a number of international tournaments.

Puan also hopes that the efforts of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) which has asked Indonesia not to be sanctioned by WADA can bear fruit.

"So that there will be no prolonged impact so that Indonesia's good name in the field of sports can still be maintained," she said.