Jakarta, 19 August 2021 -- EXPRESSIONS of gratitude for the struggles of athletes in the world's highest multi-event sports competition, the Tokyo Olympics 2020 is now continuing to flow. Likewise with the appreciation given by various parties, now keep coming. This time, PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI realized the appreciation to the badminton athletes who won the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and their supporting officials, including the women's doubles pair who won the Tokyo Olympic 2020 Gold Medal, Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu, as well as the Bronze medal winner, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
This appreciation was conveyed at the Badminton Athlete and Official Awarding Night event held in Cipayung, Jakarta, Wednesday (18 August 2021). Present on the occasion were the Minister of SOEs of the Republic of Indonesia, Erick Thohir, the Chairman of the Central Board of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PP PBSI), Agung Firman Sampurna, the Deputy President Director of BNI, Adi Sulistyowati, the Institutional Relations Director of BNI, Sis Apik Wijayanto, all athletes from the Tokyo Olympic 2020 contingent of badminton branch.
Erick Thohir said that his background in choosing BNI to be the main supporter of PBSI and national badminton is because BNI and badminton have similarities. Badminton has always consistently carried the good name of Indonesia abroad, as well as BNI. "BNI, which is now transforming into an International Bank, which not only helps in terms of exports, but also builds a footprint (network) abroad, can facilitate PBSI in terms of access," he said. According to Erick, badminton is worth fighting for, both in coaching, improving performance, and regenerating its athletes, because this sport is able to attract the world’ attention to Indonesia. One of the proofs is that the official Olympic Instagram account posted four times during the victory of Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu. "It shows that badminton is not only an icon for Indonesia, but also shows that the underdog story for the sports world is also something extraordinary. Their victory is an extraordinary moment for our nation," he said.
Erick added that Indonesian badminton is also lucky to have a Chairman of PP PBSI who is willing to go down. “I am grateful that in the sports world there is a chairman who wants to step down, because sometimes there are many who want to be chairman but only for a position. I also thank the ranks of PBSI who have brought badminton into a medal-winning mine for Indonesia since 1992 until today," he concluded.
On the same occasion, Agung Firman Sampurna said, the success of Indonesian badminton cannot be separated from the support of various parties, especially the financial support of the main sponsor, namely BNI. This support is important in scoring various international achievements. Better collaboration continues to be strengthened by PBSI from these sponsors, one of which is by opening a pattern of support that is not based on charity, but a pattern that benefits all parties.
"For that, we convey to Ministry of SOEs and BNI, this year, we will also participate in several international events that are symbols of world badminton supremacy. In 2021, in addition to All England, and Tokyo Olympics 2020, there will be another Sudirman Cup in September in Finland, then in October there will be Thomas and Uber Cups. The victory at the dramatic Tokyo Olympics was not only an excitement while watching, but also brought back something that was lost, namely the unity of all Indonesians through this sport. Thank you to BNI for all the support," he explained
On this occasion, BNI's form of appreciation for the medal-winning athletes is in the form of investment products, namely mutual funds. This mutual fund was given to Greysia Polii, Apriyani Rahayu, and Ginting, as well as their trainers. Especially for Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu, the value of mutual funds is up to Rp. 2 billion per person, and for Anthony Ginting it is Rp. 1 billion.
In addition, BNI also gave awards in the form of cash to all badminton players and coaches who strengthened the Indonesian Olympic squad in Tokyo. The choice of mutual funds as a form of appreciation is intended to encourage other players and increase financial literacy among sportspeople. Previously, BNI’s President Director, Royke Tumilaar emphasized that BNI is ready to support the development and sustainability program of Indonesian badminton athletes in the future. This is evidenced by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between BNI and PBSI for the development of Indonesian badminton for the next four years.
"Surely BNI will support PBSI for the next 4 years, moreover, it is mentioned that many international events will be held this year. Hopefully, BNI's support can make Indonesian badminton more advanced and produce international-scale athletes," he concluded.
As a form of support for the development and coaching of athletes, especially badminton, BNI will donate Rp. 1 billion. The donation will be submitted to PP PBSI to support the Indonesian badminton ecosystem. In addition, BNI also provided 1 ambulance to PBSI, as maximum support for the health of national badminton stakeholders.
For more information, please contact:
BNI Corporate Secretary
Phone: 021-5728387
Email: bni@bni.co.id