Indonesia's latest All England champions, men's doubles pair Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, arrived back in Indonesia on Tuesday (14/03) to rapturous applause.
Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi was there on the tarmac at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to greet the new champions. The government awarded Kevin and Marcus a bonus of Rp 250 million ($18,700) for their win. Coach Herry Iman Pierngadi was also given a bonus payment of Rp 100 million.
"Congratulations. President Jokowi sends his regards to you both," the minister told Kevin and Marcus at the airport. Kevin said the pair will focus on climbing up the International Badminton Federation ranking before starting their preparation for the 2018 Asean Games.
Deputy chairman of the Indonesian Badminton Federation (PBSI) Lutfi Hamid also praised the pair, the 19th men's doubles pair from Indonesia to have won All England — the world's oldest badminton tournament.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/liputan6-media-production/medias/1534503/original/080597400_1489367103-Kevin-Markus_All_England_01.jpg "Kevin Sanjaya/Marcus Gideon, All England Champion. Image: Justin Tallis/AFP")
The men's doubles win was Indonesia's only success story at the tournament. China's Lu Kai and Huang Yaqiong won the mixed doubles, South Korean pair Chang Ye-na and Lee So-hee won the women's doubles, Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia won the men's single and Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan won the women's single.
Source : This article first published in Jakarta Globe
