President Optimistic Indonesia Will Bring Home Thomas Cup

Jakarta, InfoPublik - President Joko Widodo on Tuesday (5/10) met Indonesian athletes competing in the Thomas-Uber Cup in Kunshan, China on May 15 to 22. President Joko Widodo said that he was sure they will win the cup.

"We expect all of you to do your best in the games, so that we can bring back the Thomas and Uber Cup to Indonesia," said President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace, Tuesday (5/10).

On the occation, President Joko Widodo was accompanied by Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi and Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki. The meeting was attended by 25 athletes who will be competing in the Thomas-Uber Cup. They were accompanied by PBSI Chairman Gita Wirjawan, Vice Chairman Nusron Wahid and Fuad Basya.  Also present at the meeting were PBSI national training center sub-division Head Ricky Subagja, PBSI development and achievement  division Head Rexy Mainaky.

President Jokowi hopes that the athletes can restore Indonesia’s glory in the Thomas and Uber Cup. As pointed by Mr. Wirjawan, the last time Indonesia won the Thomas Cup was in 2002 and Uber Cup in 1996. "Maintain our harmony and spirit. I had a feeling we will win," said President Joko Widodo optimistically. 

After the meeting, Mr. Wirjawan said that Indonesia has won Thomas Cup 13 times while China 9 times. Indonesia has won Uber Cup 3 times and China 13 times. "The President wished we could win theThomas Cup and listed in the 8 best in Uber Cup," said Mr. Wirjawan. (Translator: Wilda Stiana)