What was apparently an honest mistake has gone down as a monumental cock-up in the world of shuttlecocks.
Yesterday, the men’s doubles pair of Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto defeated their seniors Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon 21-19, 28-26 in an all-Indonesian final at the Denmark Open 2022.
When the time came for them to receive their medals on the podium, the organizer at the event announced — once for each pair — that the shuttlers were from Malaysia.
The befuddled doubles pairs took the podium nonetheless while seemingly gesturing apologetically on the announcer’s behalf.
Neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia enjoy a rivalry in numerous fronts, such as for rendang supremacy (except for that one time) and, of course, badminton. The two nations happen to be juggernauts in international badminton (though Indonesia has more titles, ahem). Arguably the most intense badminton rivalries are played in the men’s disciplines – with Indonesia and Malaysia producing some of the sport’s finest athletes.
True to form, Indonesian netizens were made livid by the gaffe, with some suggesting that the players should have walked out in protest.
For what it’s worth, Denmark’s badminton association put out a tweet apologizing for what it described was a “human mistake”.
The apology wasn’t a smash with netizens, who say they still couldn’t fathom how the announcer made the same mistake twice during an all-Indonesian final.
Amid the controversy, at least the champions and finalists can take solace in how President Joko Widodo gave them words of praise and encouragement.
“Congratulations! Whoever are the champions, the winner is still Indonesia,” Jokowi wrote.
