High Expectations Accompany Red Sparks and Megawati "Megatron" Hangestri

It is hoped that the presence of Red Sparks and Megawati Hangestri will have a positive impact on the development of volleyball in the country.

FEDERASI BOLA VOLI KOREA

Indonesian volleyball player, Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi of Pevoli Indonesia, celebrated her victory with her team, Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks, in the fourth round of the sixth Korean Volleyball League match against GS Caltex KIXX Seoul at Chungmu Gymnasium, Daejeon, South Korea, on Thursday (7/3/2024).

The presence of the Korean Volleyball League club, Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks, to Indonesia with its former player, Megawati ”Megatron” Hangestri, accompanied high expectations. Not only will they present a neat spectacle in the match against the Indonesian national team, they are also expected to have an impact on the development of volleyball in the country.

After arriving in Indonesia and receiving a warm welcome from fans on Tuesday (16/4/2024) night, the Red Sparks squad met again with Megawati Hangestri the following day. This was their first meeting since Megawati's return to Indonesia following the end of the Korean Volleyball League in early April.

The meeting was held in the context of a welcoming event organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and a press conference ahead of the "Fun Volleyball" match. Red Sparks will compete against the Indonesian national volleyball team at the Indonesia Arena Stadium on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Also read: Megawati "Megatron"'s long road to becoming champion in Korea

Although titled "Fun Volleyball," this match is expected to be more than just a source of entertainment. There is a desired impact to be felt from the match, particularly in relation to the development of volleyball in the homeland.

KEMENPORA

The Korean Volleyball League team, Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks, posed with Indonesian player Megawati Hangestri and Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo in a welcoming ceremony and press conference ahead of the Fun Volleyball match on Wednesday (April 17, 2024).

Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo hopes that this event will initiate an increase in enthusiasm for Indonesian volleyball to become busier and bigger. Moreover, the match was held at the Indonesia Arena which has a capacity of 16,500 spectators. This could be the start of holding Proliga, Indonesia's professional volleyball league, at the same place.

"(Our hope is) for the Indonesian volleyball league to advance further, and for the Indonesian national team's performance to improve. This is the momentum we're taking to ensure that Indonesian volleyball continues to make an impact," said Dito during the press conference.

High expectations are considered reasonable. This is a timely moment for Indonesia to also reap the benefits of Megawati's greatness along with Red Sparks. During her career in the Korean Volleyball League, Megawati has had a double effect on Red Sparks both on and off the field and for the league itself.

Also read: Multiple Effects of Megawati "Megatron" for Korean Volleyball League Clubs

On the field, Megawati brought the Red Sparks into the playoffs for the first time since seven years ago or the 2016-2017 season. This player from Jember, East Java, also brought the attention of Indonesian fans to the Korean Volleyball League in general and the Red Sparks in particular. Red Sparks' popularity has also increased, as evidenced by their success in receiving the Silver Play Button from YouTube, which is an award for channels that have reached 100,000 subscribers.

KOMPAS/REBIYYAH SALASAH

Members of Indonesia's women's national volleyball team, Hany Budiarti (left) and Wilda Siti Nur Fadhilah, pose after a press conference for an exhibition match between the national team and Megawati Megatron Hangestri club, Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks, in Jakarta on Friday (22/3/2024).

Megawati's teammate in the women's national team, Wilda Siti Nur Fadhilah, has expressed similar hopes. Wilda said that the friendly match would be a momentum to revive volleyball, especially women's volleyball. Megawati's actions abroad, according to Wilda, slowly opened the eyes of many that women's volleyball athletes are actually able to compete on the international stage.

Vice Chairman of Performance Development at the Central Management of the Indonesian Volleyball Association (PP PBVSI), Loudry Maspaitella, said the same thing. According to Loudry, Megawati's achievement in the Korean Volleyball League has made her a new icon for Indonesian women's volleyball. The emergence of this icon then makes women's volleyball development increasingly certain.

Furthermore, this competition also serves as a platform for Indonesian players, most of whom are young, to learn and gain experience from their opponents. The Red Sparks not only trained early Wednesday morning, but also brought their full strength.

Also read: Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi "Buy" Consistency in South Korea

"We continue to train hard for the upcoming match and approach it with a joyful heart," said Red Sparks coach Ko Hee-jin in a press conference.

FEDERASI BOLA VOLI KOREA

Pevoli Indonesia's Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi celebrated the joy of achieving victory with her team, Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks, in the fourth round of the sixth Korea Volleyball League, against GS Caltex KIXX Seoul at Chungmu Gymnasium, Daejeon, South Korea, on Thursday (7/3/2024).

Red Sparks came with almost the same strength when competing in the 2023-2024 Korea Volleyball League. Only captain Lee So-young was absent because she had joined another club, IBK Altos.

Red Sparks will be reinforced by Megawati, who assures herself that she will defend her former club against her teammates in the national team. Another foreign player for Red Sparks in the 2023-2024 season, Giovanna Milana, will also strengthen the team.

This club also brought two South Korean national team players, Jung Ho-young and Lee Seon-woo. Both players left the Korean national team training center in Jincheon Athlete Village, North Chungcheong, South Korea since Monday (15/4/2024) to join Red Sparks and compete in Indonesia.

Also read: The Phenomenal Beginning of Pevoli Megawati "Megatron" in Korea

"The Indonesian players will definitely be motivated by this match because for them, it is a new experience. Although it is only an exhibition match, the enthusiasm will cultivate motivation for them to give their all and play their best," said Imam Sudjarwo, General Chairman of PP PBVSI, some time ago.