Our big hope is for badminton to be one of the top contributors of (medals) for Indonesia
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali commended the hosting of the President Cup 2022 for badminton on Aug 1-6 at the Nanggala Sports Center in Cijantung, East Jakarta.

According to Minister Amali, the President Cup 2022 served as an indicator to gauge the national badminton activity, which was impacted due to the hardships caused by the pandemic.

"The President Cup instills so much expectation (highlighting the need) for national badminton players. Hopefully, new athletes (would be discovered), so they can fill the national players' arrangements," the minister stated here on Monday.

The minister noted that the decision by the Badminton Association of Indonesia was a positive move on its part, with one of the objectives being to facilitate the realization of the national goal to rank among the top five globally at the 100th commemoration of Indonesian independence in 2045.

The ambitious target would be pursued through the 2044 Olympics, with the Red and White team aiming for the top five.

"Our big hope is for badminton to be one of the top contributors of (medals) for Indonesia. Mr President (Joko Widodo) also supported this event. Let us respond to this event by working together with the spirit to succeed," the minister emphasized.

He also commended the association's innovative hard work by hosting the President Cup for badminton.

"Personally, I (respect) the performance of the Badminton Association of Indonesia. Although it is in the midst of the pandemic, (they) can host an international-class event. It was hosted in Bali at the year end, and now, there is the President Cup," he stated.

The President Cup also offered a grand total of Rp1.55 billion in prizes.

According to the vice leader of the 2022 President Cup committee, Edi Sukarno, the amount would be divided into two: Rp500 million for the provincial committee and the rest, Rp555 million, would be for the winning athletes.

The association noted that the provincial committee that emerged as the general winner would receive Rp250 million, while the second-place holder will be offered Rp150 million, and the one in the third place would receive Rp100 million. Prize of a certain amount will be offered to the athletes.

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Translator: Roy Rosa B, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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