Menpora Responds To The Suspension Of Medical Teams Handling Zhang Zhi Jie

Menpora Dito Ariotedjo when met at the Tennis Indoor Sports Center, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 3, 2024 evening WIB (VOI/Cosmas Kopong Beda).

JAKARTA - Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Dito Ariotedjo, responded to the delay in the medical team handling China's men's singles, Zhan Zhi Jie, which cost the athlete's life.

"We have coordinated with PBSI and we, Kemenpora, can be said to have conducted an investigation. How to prepare for the medical and emergency," said Dito when met at the Tennis Indoor Sports Center, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

The 17-year-old badminton player fell to the floor and had a convulsion while competing against the Japanese men's singles, Kazuma Kawamo, in the preliminary round of the 2024 Badminton Asia Junior Championships at the Amongrogo Sports Hall, Yogyakarta, Sunday, June 30, 2024.

Zhang has only received first aid after about 40 seconds since falling. You see, the medical team had to wait for permission from the referee first to be able to respond to Zhang in accordance with BWF regulations.

The medical team also spent one minute 20 seconds from the first time they entered the field and then decided to take the athlete to the hospital.

The Minister of Youth and Sports said that in the future his party will give firmness to event organizers so that medical personnel need to respond quickly to emergency incidents so that similar things cannot be repeated.

"Although there is an explanation (the incoming medical team) must (waiting) a referee decision, we are looking at this from all points of view so that the error can be found because of what," he said.

This incident also heated up after the BWF officially issued their statement on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

In that statement, BWF stated that the authority of instructions for handling emergency medical conditions was with the tournament organizers.

The Minister of Youth and Sports also opened his voice on statements that were considered to have the impression of washing hands from the world badminton parent and wanted to delegate this issue to the Asian Badminton Federation (BAC) and the Local Organizing Committee.

"Certainly I think it has become a risk, where local organizers must always respond first. This is what we are currently investigating. How can this, how come the medical seems there has been a long gap," he said.

Zhang was taken to the hospital approximately 4.7 kilometers from the event site. The trip took approximately 10 minutes.

At the hospital, Zhang received medical treatment before the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) announced that the athlete's life could not be saved on Sunday night.