Indonesia Withdraws from the 2020 Thomas and Uber Cups

KOMPAS.com – Badminton powerhouse Indonesia has decided to withdraw from the upcoming 2020 edition of the Thomas and Uber Cups which will be held in Aarhuis, Denmark October 3-11. 

“The Badminton Association of Indonesia [PBSI] decided against participating in the Thomas and Uber Cups because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Indonesian Badminton Association Secretary General Achmad Budiharto on September 11.

“The athletes and officials are concerned about contracting Covid-19 during the trip or in the venue. They are also reluctant to participate [in the Thomas and Uber Cups] because the Badminton World Federation [BWF] could not guarantee they will be free of the coronavirus.”

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Budiharto added that lack of crowd support is another element behind the PBSI’s decision to withdraw from the tournaments.

“Denmark is one of 59 countries that bar Indonesian nationals during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Danish embassy still has not approved our visa application [to participate in the tournament],” he said.

“The withdrawal of six countries from the Thomas and Uber Cups also detracted from the competitive value of the tournaments.”

“We will send a letter to the Youth and Sports Ministry and the BWF [Badminton World Federation] to this effect.”

KOMPAS/EDDY HASBI The Thomas Cup

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Budiharto said the PBSI’s decision has been approved by himself, PBSI Chairman Wiranto and his deputy Alex Tirta, as well as PBSI player development head and former Indonesian badminton great Susi Susanti.

Indonesia is the seventh country to withdraw from the Thomas and Uber Cups along with Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea Selatan and Hong Kong.

Indonesia is the most successful nation in the Thomas Cup, which is also known as the World Men’s Team Championships, with 13 titles since its inception in 1949.

The country’s record in the Uber Cup or World Championships for Women is less stellar, as they garnered three titles, just behind China and Japan with 14 and six championships, since the tournament started in 1957. 

(Writers: Farahdilla Puspa | Editor: Nugyasa Laksamana)

Sources:

https://www.kompas.com/badminton/read/2020/09/11/21055928/breaking-news-indonesia-mundur-dari-piala-thomas-dan-uber-2020. 

https://www.antaranews.com/berita/1721014/pbsi-terus-kaji-keikutsertaan-indonesia-di-piala-thomas-uber 

https://www.antaranews.com/berita/1721014/pbsi-terus-kaji-keikutsertaan-indonesia-di-piala-thomas-uber