Hosted by YONEX Legend Taufik Hidayat, the audience were treated to a stunning display from Legends past and present. MC for the event was the one and only Rudy Hartono, who helped to make this the second stop in the Legends Tour a very special event.
Unfortunately due to unexpected circumstances in China, Lin Dan was not able to attend. However he did send a special message to his fans:
“I regret that I cannot participate with the YONEX Legends Vison in Jakarta. I feel sorry and regret that I cannot come today. I ask my three good friends Taufik, Peter Gade and Lee Chong Wei to go ahead and carry on with the event and to drive forward our visions and dreams.”
The event began with an audience of invited guests and VIPs being treated to an engaging discussion between the Legends on why playing in Indonesia was so special for them. They all agreed that badminton in Indonesia was extremely popular—an obsession for the entire nation—and that it has a reputation for producing skilled players.
In recognition of Yonex’s global vision that aims to bring badminton to wider global audience, YONEX signed contracts with Jaya Raya club and Candra Wijaya. In addition, long service awards were presented between PBSI and YONEX, with 200 badminton racquets donated by YONEX to local badminton clubs to enable them, with the support of PBSI, to participate and develop in the sport of badminton.
The second part of the event was held in the Asia Afrika Badminton Hall where the fanatical audience were treated to a stunning display of badminton skills.
Rudy Hartono introduced the Legends to the arena, who were then joined by special guests and legends from years past - Candra Wijaya and Rexy Mainaky, plus this year’s World Champions and men’s doubles partners Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan – who played with the Legends in a series of live televised doubles matches.
This was a truly great event and a fantastic opportunity to bring badminton to a wider audience. The next stop on the tour will be in Copenhagen where Peter Gade will be hosting yet another star studded event.
The Legends’ Vision, supported by YONEX, brings together true badminton legends in a series of global events aimed at raising awareness of badminton across the globe. Hosted in each of the Legends’ home countries, the Legends are participating in thrilling exhibition matches and engaging demonstrations that are all aimed at inspiring the younger generation to take up the sport of badminton.