Nelangsa Team Indonesia at All England 2021

Jakarta –

The journey of the Indonesian contingent at the event All England 2021 ended tragically. The determination to bring home the title was dashed because of precautionary rules COVID-19 in England.

The Indonesian team, consisting of 24 players and officials, arrived in Birmingham, the location of the tournament, on Saturday (13/3/2021). Previously, they departed from Jakarta and had transit in Istanbul.

Armed with a negative PCR test result and also having received the COVID-19 vaccine twice, Hendra Setiawan et al stared at this grand tournament. Moreover, the follow-up PCR test they received on arrival in England was also negative.

In short, Indonesia is ready to fight. Seven representatives of the red-and-white just show their abilities in the field.

On the D-day, which is Wednesday (17/3), the tournament starts a little late. This is because seven athletes / officials from Denmark, Thailand and India previously tested positive COVID-19. Even so, the latest swab results finally stated that they were negative and could participate again.

Meanwhile, the PCR test results of the Indonesian players remained unchanged, namely negative. Travel on All England begins. The Indonesian representatives who fell in the first place appeared convincing.

Marcus Gideon / Kevin Sanjaya won over Matthew Clare / Ethan Van Leeuwen (England). Jonatan Christie succeeded in overthrowing Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand). Mohammad Ahsan / Hendra Setiawan also succeeded in defeating Ben Lane / Sean Vendy (England).

But apparently that was the end of Indonesia’s journey. After Ahsan / Hendra’s victory, the joy turned bitter. The shocking news came that all Indonesian representatives had to resign from All England in 2021.

National Health Service (NHS), the British health front guard, reported that the Indonesian contingent had to undergo isolation for 10 days. Because, on their flight to England, there were passengers who were affected COVID-19.

“In accordance with British government regulations, if you are on the same plane as a person who is positive for COVID-19, you will be required to undergo isolation for 10 days. Thus, the Indonesian team was forced to resign and carry out isolation until March 23, 2021 at the Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Center. , commencing 10 days since the team’s arrival in Birmingham on Saturday (13/3), “wrote the official PBSI statement.

Feelings of sadness, disappointment, and anger immediately appear. Indonesian athletes expressed their frustration on social media. Marcus, for example, questioned why they were immediately disqualified, whereas seven people who previously tested positive for COVID-19 could turn negative in just one day.

Not only were Indonesian athletes dissatisfied, many fans reacted to the decision. The World Badminton Federation (BWF) social media account was also attacked by Indonesian citizens.

The supreme authority for the sport of feather patting is deemed incompetent in holding tournaments. BWF itself regretted this decision, but could do nothing because they obeyed the rules of the NHS.

The feeling of annoyance peaked when the news emerged Neslihan Yigit, a Turkish badminton athlete who also competed in All England, not declared backwards. Even though he was on the same plane as the Indonesian group.

(Next page: Reaction of the Government of Indonesia and the BWF Apology)

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