PBSI Appreciates The Hard Work Of The National Team At The French Open Despite Failure To Win A Title

Marcus/Kevin (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Central Board of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PP PBSI) appreciates the performance of the Indonesian national team at the 2021 French Open event on October 26-31 even though there were no titles.

The manager of the Indonesian team at the French Open, Irwansyah, assessed that the athlete's performance in general was good and maximal when measured by the condition of exhausted stamina.

"Actually, his physical condition and physical fitness have run out. It can be said that everything is already battered because of such a long tour," Irwansyah said as quoted by Antara, Wednesday.

The Indonesian badminton player, who is competing in Paris, has previously played in three European tournaments, namely the Sudirman Cup (Finland), the Thomas Cup and the Denmark Open for approximately two months.

"With the tight schedule of the Cipayung National Training Team, it's natural that the fatigue factor hinders the athlete's performance from reaching the peak," said Irwansyah.

"Understood, the players have competed since September at the Sudirman Cup in Finland, and continued to the Thomas Cup in Denmark. After that they still played in Denmark and the French Open. Fatigue is certainly the cause of the player's declining performances," he said.

Responding to Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon's men's doubles who were the only Indonesian representatives in the final round of the Super 750 level tournament, he also admitted that he was amazed by the ability of the Minions to survive until the final match.

Moreover, they previously had to fight fiercely in the semifinals against their own colleagues, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto, who were draining. The impact in the final round of Minions strength, speed and fitness is reduced a lot.

Even though in the end they were only runners-up, PBSI saw that Kevin/Marcus had a positive side in terms of mental resilience which was getting more mature.

"Kevin/Marcus can advance to the final in my opinion because they still have a strong will. They have great enthusiasm to continue to try to play optimally and insist, even though their energy is actually exhausted and not supportive," concluded Irwansyah.