Welcoming The Duel Against Bagas/Fikri Positively In The All England Final, The Daddies: Men's Doubles Regeneration Has Been Going Well

Hendra/Ahsan (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan (The Daddies) pair considers the meeting with Bagas Maulana/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri who is a junior at the Cipayung PBSI National Training Center as proof that the regeneration of the badminton men's doubles sector in the national team is going well.

Even though they have to fight for the title with their compatriots, the world number two pair are happy because the future of Indonesian men's doubles is still on the right track.

"I am happy because the regeneration in the men's doubles sector has gone well. There is a backing pair that can qualify for the All England final. This shows that regeneration has gone well," said Hendra as quoted by Antara, Sunday, March 20.

Ahsan also expressed a sense of pride, because with the All Indonesian Final session, the Red and White Squad certainly won the prestigious title from Birmingham.

"What is certain is that regeneration is on the right track. I am happy with the presence of Bagas/Fikri to be able to make it to the finals. What is certain is that with the all Indonesia final, there is definitely one championship title that we can take home," Ahsan said.

Given the importance of the status of champions of the badminton tournament which has entered its 114th edition, the pair nicknamed The Daddies will remain ready to fight and bring out their best potential.

"We will still 'fight' even though we are dealing with our own colleagues. Tomorrow we will continue to play optimally," said Hendra.

"We also want to win. We will fight it out. Although it is not easy to meet our own colleagues in the final," Ahsan added.

The second-ranked pair qualified for the final after defeating the men's doubles from China, He Ji Ting/Tan Qiang in the last four with a score of 21-16, 14-21, 21-13.

The Daddies' performance on Saturday evening elicited a positive response from the men's doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, who saw that their performance was not inferior to the younger players.

Even though Ahsan's condition was not excellent, the pair who won the All England 2014 and 2019 still fought hard to qualify for the final, which became the final history of fellow Indonesian representatives at the All England.

"It's extraordinary, even though the conditions are not perfect, Hendra/Ahsan can take advantage of all their experience. They have a winning mentality and high fighting power in the middle of the field. They also don't give up easily. Hendra/Ahsan's struggle can be an example for young players Indonesia," said Herry.