This is an emotional moment to me."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian badminton star, Taufik Hidayat said goodbye as a farewell expression to tens of thousands of his fans in Jakarta`s Senayan sports stadium on the sidelines of final round of Djarum Indonesia Badminton Open 2013 on Sunday.
Taufik decided to hang his racket or retire from the world badminton competitions after 25 years of playing with a number of glorious achievements.
On the same occasion (Sunday), Taufik received an award from the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) which was handed by its chairman, Gita Wirjawan symbolically.
"Probably it is the right time for me to retire from being an Indonesian badminton athlete," Taufik said with tears in his eyes.
At the moment Taufik thanked all his supporters, his parents, his family and the PBSI.
"This is an emotional moment to me. I don`t know what should I say. Certainly, once again thank you very much," Taufik said.
At his last match when participating in Djarum Indonesia Badminton Open 2013, Taufik was defeated by the Indian athlete, B. Sai Praneeth with score 21-15, 12-21, 17-21, on Wednesday (June 12).
"I had no preparation at all prior to the match and also had mixed feelings," he explained.
"It seems very heavy for me to leave badminton after 25 years here," Taufik, who was born in Bandung, West Java on August 10, 1981, said.
The husband of Ami Gumelar, or the son-in-law of a couple of Agum Gumelar and Linda Amalia Sari, had many glorious achievements, among other things as champion in 2004 Athens Olympics, the world champion on Augusts 21, 2005 by defeating Lin Dan of the People`s of Republic of China in the final round and also champion in the Asian Games (2002, 2006).
Agum Gumelar is a Indonesian former Transportation minister, and Linda Amalia Sari is the current minister for Woman Empowerment and Children Protection.
Taufik, however, will not totally leave the badminton world because he will help develop the country` badminton through the "Taufik Hidayat Arena."
"I have a new activity namely Taufik Hidayat Arena. Although I have retired, but I continue my dedication in badminton," he disclosed.
Taufik Hidayat Arena is a badminton school that is owned and managed by the athlete himself.
During the farewell ceremony, Taufik handed one of his ten rackets he used at the last match, to Jonathan Christie, one of the Indonesian junior badminton athletes as a remembrance in a bid to boost his achievement.
On the occasion, Gita Wirjawan, who is currently the country`s Trade Minister, expressed his appreciation to Taufik Hidayat for his dedication to Indonesia so far.
(Uu.B003/A014)
Reporter: Monalisa
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
