A Total Of 10 Countries Become Indonesian Contestants For The International Badminton 2024

Leani Ratri Oktila dan Hikmat Ramdani tampil di Indonesia Para Badminton Internasional 2024 (dok. Special).

JAKARTA A total of 121 athletes from 10 countries have registered to participate in an international tournament titled Hydroplus Indonesia Para Badminton International 2024.

This prestigious championship will run 17-22 September 2024 at the Auditorium of Muhammadiyah University Surakarta, Solo, Central Java. There are 22 match numbers, both single and double in the WH 1, WH 2, SL 3, SL 4, SU 5, to SS 6.

The countries participating in Indonesia Para Badminton International 2024 this year are Australia, Azerbaijan, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates.

India is present as the country that sent the most representatives this year with a total of 60 athletes. The country last year won three titles and placed 14 athletes in runner-up positions and third place winners.

Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC), Rima Ferdianto, who also serves as Chair of the Indonesian Implementing Committee Para Badminton International 2024, said that India will again be the seed this year.

"India is predicted to be the toughest opponent because their regeneration process is relatively fast. In some championships, they field new players whose strength has not been read," he said.

Indonesia Para Badminton International 2024 comes with increasingly prestigious attributes. You see, the International Badminton Federation (BWF) has upgraded its tournament status to Grade 2 Level 2 from Grade 2 Level 3.

In addition to the rising status, the tournament, which is also supported by the Djarum Foundation Sports Service, also provides a total prize of 10 thousand US dollars or more than IDR 150 million.

This prize makes Indonesia Para Badminton International 2024 the only badminton tournament in the BWF calendar that provides rewards to winners.

Group Brand Head Hydroplus, Yose Moriza, said that the increase in tournament status to Grade 2 Level 2 in the BWF calendar is expected to be a magnet for athletes.

"We are committed to continuing to support positive activities that can raise the spirit of society and invite various parties to continue to advance the development of Indonesian sports," said Yose.

Meanwhile, Yuni Kartika as the representative of the Djarum Foundation Sports Service said that organizing this tournament is a tangible manifestation of maintaining the chain of achievements of Indonesian badminton to make it more shiny on the world stage.

"As we all know, badminton are sports that provide glory for Indonesia on the world stage. Recently, Indonesia won a gold medal in the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles at the Paris 2024 Paralympics," he said.

Several names who won glory at the 2024 Paris Paralympics also jumped into Indonesia - Para Badminton International 2024. One of them was the gold medalist in the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles, Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani.

In this tournament, Ratri did not play in singles but in women's doubles and mixed doubles. The strategic considerations made him decide not to play in singles.

"Hopefully the event can run smoothly and successfully and our actions in the field can be a motivation and inspiration for anyone who witnesses," said Ratri.

Meanwhile, Hikmat Ramdani admitted that he would try his best in Indonesia - The Badminton International 2024. Moreover, he came with high motivation for the 2024 Paralympic gold.

"The 2024 Paris Paralympic gold medal does not make me burdened. In fact, this is an additional motivation so that I can give my best in the field later. I ask for prayers so that I can again present the title for Indonesia," said Hikmat.