OUR MESSAGE TO BWF: DON'T PLAY A ROLE AS A VICTIM AND PLEASE FIX YOUR SYSTEM

The controversy of the NHS and BWF decision to withdraw the Indonesian Badminton Team from participating in All England 2021 makes Indonesian netizen angry and disappointed. Some of them said their critiques directly to BWF social media accounts, such as Instagram and Twitter. However, most of them also harshly stated their complaint to BWF even they attack a Japanese player who reaches the All England Final 2021. It has made a lot of response from media observer, Indonesian player, and even BWF itself.

 

We know that we are so disappointed and angry with the discrimination action from BWF to our athletes. However, talking a harsh comment on social media will also lead to negativism from other countries and other organizations in our society. From my point of view, I could understand why Indonesian netizen reacted like this. Indonesian people have already received an explanation about why the Indonesian team should be withdrawn from the competition. However, BWF did not give any clarification about the following treatment. First, BWF treated our athletes badly by asking them to walk after the match and not use transportation and lift access to the hotel. Second, BWF denied their own regulation by using a line judge from England in the match of Ahsan/Hendra. Based on the international regulation, an umpire and line judge should come from other countries than the player originated. At that time, Ahsan/Hendra opponents come from England. It shows real discrimination.

 

Many discriminated and odd actions were done by BWF and NHS in All England 2021 Competition. Actually, the point of Indonesian netizen is an acknowledgement and apology. They would like to get an acknowledgement and apology letter and video directly from the BWF. However, BWF did not clarify and apologize for the bad treatment against the Indonesian team until the Indonesian government and the Indonesian Badminton Association demanded their apology. This led to a wave of anger from Indonesian netizen, and after that, BWF plays a role as a victim.

 

On the other hand, we couldn’t justify commenting harshly on other countries’ players (ex. Japanese players). The latter doesn’t have any relation with the matter of discrimination. We should blame only the committee that is not ready for any kind of urge situation like this. I don’t think that commenting badly on other players will solve and prevent this problem again. We, as Indonesian badminton lover, should show our best attitude and respect. Prove to the world using our wise action and words.

 

However, one message again to BWF. “Even though our player and government asked us to be in a good manner while facing this problem but, as a world badminton federation, you have failed organized this event. Don’t play as a victim because you are the wrongdoers here. Tokyo Olympic is just 4 months to go. If you don’t fix the system, you might find that badminton may not be included in the next Olympic. The Indonesian team may be affected if it’s really happened. However, you will be blamed once again. Thus, do your best to INSTROPECT and FIX your system. Besides, we are waiting for your sincere apology to our badminton player and all Indonesian badminton lovers.”

OUR VOICE TO BWF AND THE UK GOVERNMENT

 

Even though I promise to write an article once a month, I couldn’t do it. Yes, it is so difficult to do. However, I would like to write my opinion about what happened yesterday with the UK Government’s anomaly decision to Indonesian badminton player. It is just an opinion from a badminton lover.

 

Yes, there is a sudden decision from the UK government and BWF that makes Indonesian citizen really angry. So, what is it? The UK Government and BWF decided to halt all Indonesian player participating in All England 2021 because inside the plane that the Indonesian players took, there was a positive Covid-19 patient. Following the regulation from the UK government, the Indonesian player should be isolated for 10 days. It looks like there is no problem with this decision. However, many rumours and issues go out. First, the Indonesian team had arrived in the UK ten days ago, which means if something suspicious happens, it should happen within the days. Second, the UK Government and BWF announced this decision after the Indonesian player had a match for round 32. All of them won the game. Third, among 24 Indonesian athletes are just 20 athletes who got the UK Government’s message to be isolated for 10 days. So, what about the rest?

 

Now, the Indonesian Badminton Association and, of course, the Indonesian netizen have so many unanswered questions. Firstly, the athletes have been vaccinated before the match twice. We understand that this global pandemic issue is still a homework for all the part of the world, but what is actually the UK Government regulation? Would it still be suspicious that the athletes may be carriers of the virus even after the vaccination? Yes, it may because no exact answered yet for this pandemic. However, please be wise. Second, why did BWF announce the decision after the Indonesian player did the round 32 match? I may have kind of speculation here but, it is better to wait for their press conference. Third, the athletes have been there (in England) for 10 days, which means they might have close contact with so many people around. It is not only Indonesian athlete but also other staffs. Fourth, it is just 20 athletes that should be isolated. Then, how about the 4 remaining athletes? They went together in the same airplane, so what is the NHS standard to decide the close contact person? The UK Government also did not yet publish or let the Indonesian team knows who the patient is. Last, why does the UK Government not test the athletes instead of isolating them for 10 days?

 

All the facts above make the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) really disappointed. Even the president of PBSI told implicitly that they might be afraid that the Indonesian team will be the top winner in this tournament as all the athletes are in peak performance now. The association makes an effort to ask and get a clear explanation from the UK Government and BWF about this condition. They would like to ensure that there is no discrimination against the athletes.

 

The BWF finally announced on their official Instagram telling the condition of this decision. They said that NHS decision could not be negotiable. However, that makes the Indonesian netizen sad; why do they continue all the competition when there is a controversial decision? There are positive and negative speculation here. They don’t want to stop the competition as it might hurt other countries’ athlete. On the negative, it could be a trick between BWF and the UK Government. We never know the truth if we are not in the discussion.

 

This condition and situation might also affect athletes. As BWF regulation, All England competition is one of the tournaments that will be calculated for Tokyo Olympic. Indonesian athletes have been trained for a year for this tournament. The athletes’ psychology might be affected too. Thus, as Indonesian badminton lover, we will always support our athletes as they deserve to get it. I also believe that there will always a bright future for our badminton athletes. Besides, I always believe that PBSI will do their best to sacrifice our athlete’s right as it is our country’s pride. However, one message to the UK Government and BWF. “We know that the world is not okay now. We know that all the countries face the hard time to save their citizen life, economic, and community. However, please make a clear definition and explanation for every decision you announced. So, others will not think that you discriminate against them. Sport is about sportively. Sport is also about fairness and equality. Please be wise as we live together in this old world!”