The Indonesian para badminton team is aiming for the overall championship in the 2025 Polytron Indonesia Para Badminton International at the Manahan Indoor Sports Hall, Solo, on October 29-November 2, 2025.
The Grade 2 Level 1 championship featured 124 athletes from 25 countries. Although Indonesia only had 16 athletes representing the country, significantly fewer than India's 42, head coach Jarot Hernowo emphasized that quality was the Red and White team's primary asset for competing on home soil.
"As a team, we've set a target of overall championship. Individually, since this is a competition to break into the top ten in the world, the goal is to achieve the highest possible points," Jarot said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Jarot said this championship was the result of a year-long training camp. This event also serves as an important warm-up for the 2025 ASEAN Para Games and as part of the effort to accumulate points for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
"The competition is very tight, with no single country truly dominating. Each event has its own favorites, from women's singles SL3, men's singles SL3, to the wheelchair category," he added.
Meanwhile, NPC Indonesia Deputy Secretary General Rima Ferdianto emphasized that the Solo championship has strategic significance in maintaining the champion tradition while securing a position in the hunt for Paralympic tickets.
"All players who can finish in first, second, or third place will earn valuable points for qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics," said Rima.
He said being the host provides its own advantages for Indonesian athletes.
"As hosts, we can play at full strength, and we're already accustomed to the weather and the field conditions, which we've already improved," Rima said.
The 2025 Polytron Indonesia Para Badminton International is one of the most important tournaments on the BWF Para Badminton World Circuit calendar. In addition to Indonesia and India, other countries such as Thailand (11 athletes) and France (10 athletes) are also present with their best teams.
