Candra Wijaya and Taufik Hidayat Regret the Red and White Flag Not Flying at Indonesia's Celebration of Winning the Thomas Cup

Jonatan Christie, one of the players from the Indonesian men's team team that won the 2020 Thomas Cup. (Photo: Doc. Badminton Photo)

JAKARTA - Former national badminton players regret not raising the Red and White flag when the Indonesian badminton team won the 2020 Thomas Cup, in Aarhus, Denmark, Sunday night.

The Indonesian team won the Thomas Cup by beating China 3-0 in the final which took place at Ceres Arena, Aarhus, Denmark, Sunday night.

However, due to WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) sanctions, the Red and White flag cannot be raised at the same time as the Indonesian Raya anthem. Instead, the PBSI flag was hoisted.

"It's ironic, when celebrating the Thomas Cup victory, the Red and White couldn't fly, it's a shame," said former national men's doubles player Candra Wijaya, quoted from Antara, Monday, October 18.

Candra, the 2000 Sydney Olympic champion paired with Tony Gunawan, was one of the players who won the Thomas Cup in 2002, the last time Indonesia won the men's team world championship.

The same thing was conveyed by the 2004 Athens Olympic champion, Taufik Hidayat, who regretted not being able to fly the Red and White at the Ceres Arena, Denmark.

"Unfortunately, it feels like eating less salt. Usually, the Red and White are sung together with the anthem Indonesia Raya," said Taufik, who praised the athletes and officials for not being affected by these conditions and staying focused on competing.

"I'm sure they already know this condition, but it's good that they are not affected. Let the country think about this issue," said Taufik, who said that the national flag was only flown abroad when the president arrived or there were athletes who won.

Therefore, Taufik, who is also a member of the Thomas Cup team that won 19 years ago, hopes that the government will immediately resolve the issue of WADA's sanctions.

"I hope this can be finished quickly. The government should be ashamed, used to say that it wanted to host the World Cup, host the Olympics, but it can't be managed like this. Don't let us be like Russia," he also said.

Previously, it was reported that Indonesia together with North Korea and Thailand were declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so that they were sanctioned.

One of the sanctions is that athletes from the three countries are still allowed to compete in regional, continental, and world championships, but cannot fly their national flags other than at the Olympics.