After Quarantine, Indonesian Badminton Team Enthusiastically Holds First BATC Preparatory Practice

Gregoria Mariksa Tunjung (HUMAS PBSI)

JAKARTA – The Indonesian badminton team has been allowed to leave the quarantine hotel. They immediately underwent their first training in preparation for the 2022 Asian Team Badminton Championships (BATC).

Gregoria Mariska Tunjung and her friends arrived in Malaysia on Monday, February 7 and immediately underwent a five-day quarantine. They were only allowed out of quarantine after the results of the second test came out on Saturday, February 12.

"The children are so enthusiastic and excited to be able to return to training. Since yesterday they have been itching to practice," said Men's Doubles Coach Aryono Miranat in an official statement received by VOI.

The practice took place at the Setia Badminton Hall, Selangor. To reach this place, the team traveled approximately 45 minutes from the place to stay at the Sunway Pyramid Hotel, Selangor.

All Indonesian team players and crew were negative for COVID-19 based on the latest test results. As a result, the Garuda squad was moved from the quarantine hotel at the Sunway Clio Hotel to the official championship hotel in Sunway.

The exercise was led directly by physical trainers Yansen Alpine and Ari Subarkah. Under the direction of the two coaches, the players immediately underwent warm-up exercises, stretching, and technical training in the form of games.

Indonesia gets three training opportunities before the opening match on Tuesday, February 15. Thus, Gregoria and his friends still have two training schedules.

"This must be maximized before competing. I saw the players devour the training portion quite well. The condition of the players are also all healthy. Just because this is the first exercise I see there are still problems, the players' breath is still stuffy," said Aryono.

The draw results put the Indonesian men's team into Group A along with India, South Korea and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, in the women's sector, Gregoria cs., entered in Group Z with South Korea, Hong Kong, and Kazakhstan.

Indonesia came as the defending champion in the men's sector of the tournament which was the qualification for the Thomas and Uber Cups. Not only the defending champion, the Indonesian men's team is also the champion in the last three editions.