The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening international sports diplomacy. Recently, a PBSI delegation led by Chairman Fadil Imran made an official visit to Russia to establish strategic cooperation in badminton. This visit was a reciprocal gesture following the Russian delegation’s visit to the PBSI national training center in Cipayung, Jakarta, last April.
During the visit on June 19-20, 2025, in St. Petersburg, Fadil Imran was accompanied by several key figures in Indonesian badminton, including PBSI First Vice Chairman Taufik Hidayat, PBSI Third Vice Chairman Armand Darmadji, PBSI Ethics Committee member Nugroho Slamet Wibowo, and PBSI Treasurer Tonny Wahyudi. They met with the Chairman of the Russian Badminton Federation, Andrey Antropov, at the Territoriya Sporta Sports Hall.
One of the main points of this collaboration is the exploration of coach and athlete exchange between the two countries. This initiative is expected to enhance the capacity and quality of badminton development in both Indonesia and Russia. Fadil Imran emphasized that PBSI is open to anyone who wishes to learn and grow in badminton, as part of Indonesia’s contribution to the preservation of the sport on the global stage.
As part of the visit, friendly matches were also held between Indonesian and Russian athletes. The Indonesian team was represented by names like Yohanes Saut Marcellyno, Ni Kadek Dhinda Amartya, Nikolaus Joaquin, Raymond Indra, Apriyani Rahayu, Febi Setianingrum, and Verrel Yustin Mulia. These friendly matches symbolized the strong bond between the two nations, united by the spirit of sport and mutual respect.
“Made in Russia” Tournament and Future Collaborations
Furthermore, Russia extended an invitation to PBSI for continuous collaboration and friendly matches. A badminton tournament titled “Made in Russia” was also held in St. Petersburg, combining professional athletes with business executives in a mixed doubles format. This event was an initiative of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, aiming to promote Russian export products globally while strengthening cultural and sports ties.
Overcoming Challenges and Building Future Bonds
The cooperation between PBSI and the Russian Badminton Federation is a positive step, especially considering the history of Russian badminton, which has faced challenges, including tournament cancellations and international bans on athletes by the BWF due to geopolitical situations. Nevertheless, the BWF itself has lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes starting next year, reopening opportunities for them to compete.
Through this sports diplomacy, it is hoped that bilateral relations between Indonesia and Russia will be further strengthened, not only in badminton but also in other sectors. This partnership is seen as a future investment, not only for winning medals but also for shaping national character, solidarity, and global competitiveness.
