Emphasize Togetherness in Team Championships

The Indonesian team started training in Chengdu, China. They are preparing for the 2024 Thomas and Uber Cup championships.

HUMAS PP PBSI

The Indonesian badminton team underwent training at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium in Chengdu, China on Thursday (25/4/2024). The training was held in preparation for the Thomas and Uber Cup team championships, which will take place on 27 April to 5 May 2024.

CHENGDU, THURSDAY — The Indonesian badminton team begins training at the match venue ahead of the Cup Thomas and Uber in Chengdu, China, 27 April-5 May 2024. Apart from physical and mental readiness, another important thing for the team to pay attention to is togetherness.

The first joint training for all team members was held at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium on Thursday (25/4/2024). The 3.5-hour training aimed to adapt to various factors, as is usually done before each tournament. Athletes adapted to factors such as the ball that will be used for the match, wind gusts, and spotlight.

A total of ten men's players and ten women's players also trained to restore their condition after arriving in Chengdu on Wednesday (24/4/2024) afternoon. They departed Jakarta early Wednesday morning so that Indonesian Team Manager Ricky Soebagdja gave them time to rest upon arrival in the capital of Shicuan Province.

"This afternoon, the Thomas and Uber teams held a joint practice on the training field and competition arena. I emphasized that the practice time should be maximized," said Ricky.

HUMAS PP PBSI

Jonatan Christie is practicing at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, China, on Thursday (25/4/2024). Indonesia will compete in the team championship of the Thomas and Uber Cup from April 27 to May 5, 2024.

Women's doubles coach Eng Hian said that there is no different technical preparation for the team championship compared to the individual championship. The differences exist in non-technical factors.

"For teamwork, it is important to build togetherness, both within single and multiple sectors. Everyone should support each other, whatever the result," said Eng Hian.

The biennial Thomas and Uber Championships feature five matches at each meeting of the two teams. Three of these are singles matches and two are doubles matches. Each player's result will have an impact on the team's overall result. Every score obtained is also crucial, especially in determining the position in the group standings during the preliminary round.

A total of 16 men's teams and 16 women's teams competed in four groups in the preliminary phase with a round robin format. The top two ranked teams from each group have the right to advance to the quarter-finals.

Also read: Facing Challenges with Solidarity and Mental Steel

The factor of togetherness was also emphasized by former women's singles player, Susy Susanti. When representing Indonesia in the Uber Cup championship, she always gave and received support from her teammates regardless of the outcome.

During the 1994 Uber Cup final against China, Susy and her fellow senior players gave support to Mia Audina. Mia, who was only 14 years old at the time, played in the fifth match with the score at 2-2 between Indonesia and China. The senior players had no doubt about Mia's ability. Indonesia emerged victorious after Mia defeated Zhang Ning.

Susy shared that support is still given to players who lose. No player blames their teammate who loses, but instead gives encouragement.

Also read: To the Top in Paris from Chengdu

For teams, it is important to build togetherness, both in singles and doubles sectors.

HUMAS PP PBSI

Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin are practicing at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, China, on Thursday (25/4/2024). Indonesia will compete in the team championship of the Thomas and Uber Cup on April 27-May 5, 2024.

For the Indonesian team, this togetherness can be established more easily because the players live and practice together in a long-term training center in Cipayung, East Jakarta. The women's doubles sector even often hold communal eating events.

The importance of solidarity was created by the Indian team ahead of the Thomas and Uber Cup, by creating a Whatsapp group and having dinner together. Unlike Indonesia, Malaysia, and China which have long-term national training centers, Indian badminton players train daily at their respective clubs.

"We don't have a system like Indonesia and China. So here, players take the initiative to ensure that all athletes have time to engage in activities together before the championship. Facing a team championship, this is very important," said Indian men's singles player, HS Prannoy, in one of the media outlets in India, Mint Lounge.

Also read: Dividing the Focus of the Thomas-Uber Cup and the Olympics

India is the defending champion of the Thomas Cup after defeating Indonesia 3-0 in the final of the championship held in Bangkok, Thailand. The defeat caused Indonesia to fail to defend the championship title from the 2020 Thomas Cup in Aarhus, Denmark, which was held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2020 Thomas Cup title was Indonesia's first after the last title for the men's team was obtained from the 2002 Thomas Cup in Guangzhou, China.

In Chengdu later on, India and Indonesia will be in the same group in the Thomas Cup preliminary round, namely in Group C. The competition in this group can be tight with the inclusion of Thailand and England.

As for the women's team, they will compete against Japan, Hong Kong, and Uganda in the group stage of the Uber Cup. The Indonesian team will play their first match on Saturday, with the women's team facing Hong Kong and the men's team facing England.