Indonesia Loses Kevin Sanjaya In Thailand

Kevin Sanjaya in action (Photo via Instagram Photo of kevin_sanjaya)

JAKARTA - Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo is infected with COVID-19. One of Indonesia's mainstay badminton players is certainly not joining the contingent in the opening tournament in 2021 which will be held by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for three international tournaments in Bangkok, Thailand, next week.

The 25-year-old men's doubles player was confirmed positive referring to the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) swab test results.

"Based on the last test Kevin took on December 31, 2020, the PCR swab test result was positive," said the doctor at the PBSI National Training Center, Cipayung, dr. Octaviani as reported from the official PBSI website, January 4.

Because it was already positive, Kevin did not do the PCR swab test at the National Pelatnas Cipayung, East Jakarta, Saturday, January 2, 2021 with 40 team members who were leaving for Thailand. Especially since mid-December last year, the player who was born in Banyuwangi, East Java, 2 August 1995 has also been separated from his fellow practitioners in Cipayung.

According to dr. Octaviani, Kevin's last PCR swab test was carried out at Mitra Keluarga Hospital, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on December 31, 2020. Three days earlier, on December 28, Kevin actually underwent a similar test in the same place. As a result, Kevin was positively infected by the SARS CoV-2 virus.

Kevin Sanjaya has actually felt symptoms of being infected with COVID-19 since mid-December. He began to not smell the food. Even eating tastes bland. Also a little flu. On December 20, Kevin then did a PCR swab test at Mitra Keluarga Hospital, Kelapa Gading, with positive results. He then went into independent isolation at home.

"Thank you for the prayers and support, I hope I can recover quickly and be able to train again as before. This is also a lesson for me to always be vigilant in the future," said Kevin.

If you don't get sick, Kevin and the Red-and-White contingent will compete in three tournaments that take place simultaneously at the Impact Arena, Bangkok. Starting from two tournaments in the BWF Super 1000 category, namely the Yonex Thailand Open which took place on January 12-17 and the Toyota Thailand Open (January 19-24). In addition, eight players or pairs with the best ranking will continue to fight in the 2020 BWF World Tour Final (27-31 January).

Because Kevin was positive for the Covid-19 virus, he canceled his appearance in Bangkok. Together with Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, the pair of men's doubles world number one and the first seed was forced to withdraw from the entire series of championships.

"Even if Kevin's last swab test was negative, I don't think he is fit to compete in these three tough championships. The preparations weren't enough either. Hence, the decision is clear. We did not bring Kevin to Bangkok and had to undergo independent isolation so that he would recover his health first, "said Herry Iman Pierngadi, the head coach of the Men's Doubles team at Pelatnas Cipayung.

Added by Herry IP, even though since December 31, 2020 he was positively infected with the Covid-19 virus, Kevin has indeed continued to be monitored for his health. It was only four days later that the news was that he was positive. This is solely so as not to affect the spirit of the team leaving for the White Elephant Country.

Although Kevin was positively infected by the Covid-19 virus, which made him and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon fail to appear, the Indonesian badminton team did not cancel their participation in the opening tournament in 2021. Hendra Setiawan et al., Remain enthusiastic by continuing to go to three championships in Thailand.

"The Indonesian badminton team continues to go to three championships in Bangkok, Thailand. As long as it follows the health protocol, hopefully everything will run smoothly. We see this event as very important because it is part of preparation for the most important agenda in 2021, namely the Tokyo Olympics," said the Head of Binpres PP PBSI, Rionny Mainaky.

According to Rionny, except for Kevin, the other players who are projected to appear in the three tournaments are all in good health. This is shown by the results of the PCR swab test for all players and support teams who are leaving for Thailand. In a swab test on 40 players and the support team which was conducted at Pelatnas Cipayung, East Jakarta, Saturday, January 2, 2021, all of them showed negative results from Covid-19.