TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s badminton mixed doubles Mohammad Ahsan will be one of the players who will participate in the 2018 Thomas Cup while also practicing his Ramadan fasting at the same time. The cup is scheduled to be held on May 20-May 27.
Other than Ahsan, there are several other Muslim badminton players that will be fasting too, such as Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, who is set to be the backbone of Indonesia’s squad in winning this year’s Thomas Cup.
According to the Head of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) Susy Susanti, every athlete have been given the freedom to choose whether they would fast or not. However, she believes that the players are professional athletes that understand their own responsibilities.
“As long as they don’t leave behind their responsibility since it can be considered as a mission from the country. The athletes already understand what they must do,” said Susy.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s men’s double coach Herry Iman Pierngadi said that there will be no changes in the team’s training routine even though it is currently the Ramadan month.
Indonesia’s Thomas Cup team is placed in the Group B with South Korea, Canada, and Thailand. After barely missing on winning the 2016 Thomas Cup, Indonesia is eyeing on winning the cup this year.
EGI ADYATAMA
