BWF Apologizes Directly About All England Incident, Chief Of KOI: I Said I Have No Personal Problems

BWF President Poul-Erick Hoyer (left) meets the General Chair of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) Raja Sapta Oktohari (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Badminton World Federation (BWF) President Poul-Erick Hoyer apologized directly to the General Chair of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) Raja Sapta Oktohari regarding the All England 2021 incident, last March.

Hoyer made the apology after watching the men's doubles final match at the BWF World Tour Finals 2021 in Nusa Dua, Bali, last weekend.

On that occasion, Oktohari said that he had no personal problems with BWF. He only defended the interests of Indonesian athletes who at that time were forced to withdraw from All England.

"I said that I have no personal problems. But as a representative of Indonesia in the field of sports who also represents netizens, it is only natural that I defend the interests of athletes," Oktohari said as quoted by Antara, Wednesday.

"He apologized directly, even though it had previously been said openly. Pak Anton also said that the All England incident was the first time for BWF to apologize because it had never happened before," he continued.

The All England 2021 incident began when all Indonesian badminton players were forced to withdraw from the tournament because of a plane with passengers infected with Covid-19. According to the UK Health Agency's NHS regulations, players must also undergo a 14-day quarantine.

Okto, Raja Sapta's nickname, said that the incident still made an impression, especially since the Red and White squad was said to have received discriminatory treatment from the BWF and the committee.

"But what has happened has happened. Now how do we, KOI, PBSI, Badminton Asia, and BWF communicate in the future."

“The BWF President's response is that he will always prioritize Indonesia. Including, he said, it was seen at the 2021 Badminton Festival because three tournaments were held in Bali," he said.

Meanwhile, Hoyer said in front of Okto that Indonesia had an important meaning for him.

“Indonesia is bigger than you and me. Because Indonesia and badminton are always in my heart," said Hoyer.