PBSI Promises To Give More Opportunities To Young Players After Bagas/Fikri Wins All England 2022

Bagas/Fikri (Photo: PBSI)

JAKARTA – General Chairperson of PBSI Agung Firman Sampurna promised to provide more opportunities to young Pelatnas players after the success of Bagas Maulana/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in winning the All England 2022.

"In the future, we will give young players the widest opportunity to excel," said Agung in a statement received by VOI, Monday, March 21.

Bagas/Fikri managed to win the All England after defeating their seniors Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan on Sunday, March 20 yesterday.

They won in straight sets over the veteran to take home their first title from the oldest and most prestigious event in badminton.

This year's All England appearance was a debut for Bagas/Fikri. They also flew to England with non-seeded status, but succeeded in proving themselves with the title.

Agung said that the success of Bagas/Fikri was the result of good coaching.

"The important message is that this coaching is on the right track. Regeneration is going well. When the back-up players are given the opportunity, they are able to respond with real achievements," said Agung.

Bagas/Fikri played brilliantly since the early rounds. They beat world champions Takuro Hockey/Yugo Kobayashi (Japan) in the quarter-finals and frustrate world number one doubles Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo in the semifinals before dashing The Daddies' dream of hunting for their third title.

"We already have a new hero in Bagas/Fikri. This adds to the many potential young couples we have, such as Leo Rolly/Daniel Marthin and Pramudya/Yeremia Rambitan. We have abundant stocks of men's doubles," said Agung.

Bagas/Fikri became the only Indonesian representatives to bring home the title from the BWF Super 1000 event. Meanwhile, Japan won three titles each from women's singles, mixed doubles, and women's doubles.

Meanwhile, the title of the men's singles sector was brought home by Danish representative Viktor Axelsen. The Tokyo Olympic gold medalist beat India's representative Lakshya Sen in the final.