Asks LADI to Complete Responsibilities to WADA, KOI Chairman: I am Very Disappointed and Sad that Red and White Replaced with PBSI Flag

Raja Sapta Oktohari (Foto: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) asked the Indonesian Anti-Doping Agency (LADI) to immediately complete its responsibility to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) because the impact was already felt, namely without the Red and White flag during the ceremony for the Indonesian team to win the Thomas Cup.

The Indonesian team won the Thomas Cup after waiting 19 years. Anthony Ginting and his friends won 3-0 over Team China at Ceres Arena, Aarhus, Denmark, Sunday, October 17. The failure to fly the Red and White at the 2021 Thomas Cup is the first time that WADA's sanctions for LADI have been officially enforced.

"I, as Chair of the Indonesian Olympic Committee am proud of the appearance of our Thomas Team, but also at the same time very disappointed and sad because of the medal ceremony with the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) flag," said KOI (NOC Indonesia) Chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari in a press release on Monday, quoting Antara.

"Imagine, 19 years old Indonesia longed to bring the Thomas Cup home to the country, but when the champion was actually the Red and White flag could not be displayed. I am grateful that Indonesia Raya can still reverberate," continued the man who is familiarly called Okto.

The Thomas Indonesia team last won the men's team badminton supremacy tournament in 2002. The success brought by Jonatan Christie and his friends has increased the record advantage of the Indonesian Men's Badminton team in the Thomas Cup to 14 times or the most in the history of this tournament held since 1949 in Preston, England.

However, Indonesia's victory ceremony last night seemed less than perfect with the Red and White unable to fly. The reason is that LADI is still declared Indonesia non-compliant for failing to implement the 2021 WADA Anti-Doping Code.

As a result, a number of Indonesian rights in international sporting events had to be suspended. Among other things, it is not allowed to fly the country's flag in single events and international multi-events, not being allowed to be chosen to host regional, continental, and world-class sports for one year after the imposition of these sanctions, as well as other exclusive rights.

"I hope LADI can solve this problem as soon as possible so that it can soon be free from doping sanctions that harm Indonesia in the international arena," said Okto.

There are several multi-event agendas that Indonesia will participate in 2022, namely the Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games (AIMAG) on March 10-20, SEA Games (May), Islamic Solidarity Games (August 9-18), Asian Games (September 10-25), and the Asian Youth Games (December 20-28).