Indonesia Open Introduces Local Culture to the Rest of the World

Jakarta Globe, Ami Afriatni, Jun 22, 2014

French umpire, GIlles Cavert (right), wears batik shirt during the men’s doubles
 finals of the BCA Indonesia Open Super Series Premier on Sunday. (JG Photo/
Safir Makki)

Organizers of the BCA Indonesia Open Superseries Premier were serious when they pledged to introduce the country’s cultures to foreign participants of the $750,000 tournament.

After presenting an off-court event where athletes and officials enjoyed a demonstration of the making of wayang golek (traditional Indonesian puppets) in a welcome dinner, organizers brought a little bit of the country’s culture on court.

In Saturday’s semifinals, umpires and service judges on duty were all seen wearing red batik-patterned shirts while supervising the matches.

“This is our first year with the new sponsor and we are looking for something new,” said Mimi Irawan, the organizers’ deputy tournament manager.

“To go along with the theme of the tournament, ‘Spirit of The Nation,’ we want Indonesia to be recognized as a country rich with its cultures, and one of them is batik.”

It’s not the first time all shuttlers and match officials were involved in cultural activities. In previous editions of the event, some shuttlers were dressed as human puppets at the welcome dinner.

These activities received a positive response from local and international shuttlers and officials. Gilles Cavert, a French umpire, expressed his excitement over the organizers’ effort.

“It’s the decision of the organizers for us to wear batik. Today we’re wearing red, tomorrow blue. Maybe it’s the organizers’ way to say thank you. We’re also proud to wear it. It’s very nice. I like the color and the design,” said the Frenchman who has been serving as international umpire since the 1990s.

Cavert, who witnessed Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusuma win Indonesia’s first Olympic gold medals in Barcelona back in 1992, said the Indonesia Open is the only tournament where foreign participants see with their own eyes how much the nation loves badminton.

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