Media Release
26 May 2016
Some of Australia and Indonesia’s best badminton talent will match skills in a friendly exhibition match ahead of the Indonesian and Australian Badminton Opens.
The exhibition match, between Persatuan Bulu Tangkis Seluruh Indonesia (PBSI) and Badminton Australia athletes, is part of a three-day visit to Jakarta by the Australians women’s doubles pairing, Gronya Somerville and Setyana Florensia and men’s doubles pair Sawan Serasinghe and Matthew Chau.
Today’s match at the new Australian Embassy, Jakarta will feature doubles and mixed doubles matches against Indonesian doubles champions Riky Widianto and Richi Puspita Dili and also Berry Anggriawan and Rian Agung Saputro.
Australian Ambassador to Australia, Paul Grigson said sport is a universal language.
“Indonesians have a great passion and skill in badminton having won 18 Olympic medals, so it’s a great challenge and opportunity for the Australians to play with these great champions,” Ambassador Grigson said.
Indonesia is currently ranked third in the world in the global rankings for Badminton.
Indonesia hosted two training clinics at Pelatnas PBSI at Cipayung, which was attended by Australian and Indonesian coaches and players. A sports science seminar for both Australian and Indonesian coaches and players was also held at the embassy and led by Andrew Perks and Cory Innes from the Victorian Institute of Sport.
“This visit has seen both countries benefit from each other’s sporting experience”, said PBSI Chairman, Gita Wirjawan. “We have been delighted to partner with the Embassy and Badminton Australia on these events and look forward to building even stronger sporting ties between Indonesia and Australia.”
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