Nitya Mitinda Finalizes Indonesia's Women's Doubles Strategy Towards The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

The coach who is also a former Indonesian women's doubles badminton athlete Nitya Badminton Maheswari. (photo: dock. between)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian women's doubles coach, Nitya Badminda Maheswari, revealed that his team is currently finalizing plans and preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Their main focus is on finding a double partner who has high quality, consistency, and fighting power to face competition in the four-year sporting event.

Nitya, the 2014 Asian Games Incheon gold medalist, said that the main challenge is to mix a really precise combination of pairs, both from existing athletes and potential pair reshuffle.

"With the current ingredients, it is very possible for the Olympics later. We just need a really fit partner," said Nitya in Jakarta, Saturday, January 25.

According to Nitya, the ideal partner is not only seen from technical abilities on the field, but also from the chemistry that is built among the players. The process requires the right training program and the high will of the athletes to show their best quality.

We combine not only those who can play well, but also need special and sustainable (players). That is what we are trying to do again. Which ingredients are looking for, here, which can be accommodated," said Nitya.

He added that preparing for the Olympics, which is still four years apart, is a long opportunity to form solid pairs. However, the success of this program still relies heavily on the enthusiasm and hard work of the athletes.

"When we talk about the four-year preparation chain, it's a long time. However, in the four-year term, I think it's very possible to get that moment, it's just the children. Everyone goes back to the athletes," said the bronze medalist at the 2015 Jakarta World Championship.

The Indonesian women's doubles squad is currently dominated by young players who are starting to show positive achievements. Some of them are part of the Indonesian team in the 2024 Uber Cup, including Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist Apriyani Rahayu.

Regarding Apriyani, Nitya said that recovering her injury was still a top priority before determining a new partner for the former Greysia Polii couple.

"We are still seeing how far the quality of the training has gone. If it's not okay, yes, it can't be forced. We want Apri to return to his level. Regarding partners, we will report it as soon as possible," said Nitya.

With the dominance of talented young players and coaching experience such as Nitya, Indonesian women's doubles are optimistic that they can compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A consistent training program, deep evaluation, and solid cooperation are expected to be able to produce competitive doubles pairs.

Nitya emphasized that the main goal of this preparation is not only to create a partner who is able to play well, but also to build a generation of athletes who are able to survive in long-term competitions. "All of this is not only a matter at this time, but also the future of Indonesian women's doubles," he concluded