BWF President Apologizes Directly to KOI Chief for All England Incident

jpnn.com, BALI - The parent organization of international badminton, Badminton World Federation (BWF), has apologized directly to the Indonesian Sports Committee (KOI) regarding the 2021 All England incident.

At that time, Indonesian badminton players were forced to withdraw after flying on a plane with a patient infected with Covid-19.

The All England organizing committee imposed different regulations. They did not retest Indonesian players, as was the case with Danish, Indian, and Thai players.

On the sidelines of the 2021 BWF World Tour Finals, BWF President Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen apologized directly to KOI chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari regarding the incident.

KOI, however, said they had to play a role because it was regulated in the Olympic Charter, as stated in point 2.5 regarding the mission and role of the National Olympic Committee (NOC). It states explicitly that the NOC must take action against all acts of discrimination and violence in sports.

"I said that I had no personal problems. However, as a representative of Indonesia in the field of sports who also represents internet fans, it is only natural that I defend the interests of athletes," said Raja in a written release. "They [BWF] apologized directly, although it had previously done it openly." 

It was also the first time the BWF had apologized in person.

The BWF President said that Indonesia was important for him.