Issues of the day: No medals for RI shuttlers in London

Paper Edition | Page: 8

Aug. 3, Online

Indonesia’s shuttlers came home empty handed for the first time in their participation in the Summer Olympics after Denmark’s mixed doubles pair Joachim Fischer and Christinna Pedersen dashed the hopes of Liliyana Natsir and Tontowi Ahmad to take the consolation bronze medal.

The Danes beat the Indonesian pair 21-12, 21-12, erasing Indonesian badminton’s golden tradition, the only sport capable of producing gold medals since badminton’s inclusion in the Olympics.

The Indonesia pair managed to win the first point in the first game and then allowed the Danes to go on a prolonged offensive to reach 7-1. Tontowi and Liliyana made several unforced errors by hitting the net when returning the Denmark shuttlers’ flicks and smashes.

Your comments:

The shame of it all is that Indonesia, with all of its potential, does not encourage the discipline, dedication or desire to develop the potential of the young in sports.

Colin Anderson

This is a great lesson for us as a nation that nothing lasts forever and we can no longer boast of our supremacy as the giant in the world badminton arena.

Ahmed Lats

At least we know that we are no longer a giant in badminton.

Herry Susanto

It is an important evaluation for the Indonesian team to improve their performance for the next time. Winning always comes to the best.

Ninon Malatyugra