Inaugurating Sasana Emas Greysia - Apriyani Building, Anies Hopes It Can Inspire Young Badminton Athletes

As a form of appreciation from Jakarta Government for Indonesian badminton women's doubles who won gold medals at Tokyo Olympics 2020, Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan inaugurated new name for building located in Student Sports Training Center Complex (PPOP), Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, which was previously named Multi Sport into 'Sasana Emas Greysia-Apriyani'.

We are standing in Sasana (Emas Greysia-Apriyani) where athletes practice in Jakarta

Anies said that his side was grateful for the gold medal achieved by Greysia-Apriyani after defeating women's doubles from China, Qing Chen-Yi Fan Jia in the final round of Tokyo Olimpics 2020. It became the inspiration for naming the building Sasana Emas Greysia-Apriyani thus it could inspire young people to follow the footsteps of Indonesian Badminton women athletes to excel in international.

"We are standing in Sasana (Emas Greysia-Apriyani) where athletes practice in Jakarta. We are very grateful that the building continues to be used for coaching the children thus they can excel at a young age. They continue to grow in school activities, but their achievements in sports are still shining. This facility has just been renovated, it hasn't officially been inaugurated and its facilities are still new," he mentioned, as quoted from Jakarta PPID Press Release, Saturday (8/14).

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He also told that Greysia Polii had special memories when she started training at PPOP Building. It became even more memorable after the name Multi Sport building in the complex is now engraved with name Greysia-Apriyani to respect their struggle in international competition.

"Greysia and Apri, we want this name from yesterday. We have discussed it because we want the award to motivate across generations and make people who see it to think 'I want to achieve gold medal like her', then we come to the conclusion to name it Sasana Emas. It is not just a name, but because this gold is important, because they have succeeded in making Indonesia proud in the world," he stated.

Besides, he also appreciated Jaya Raya Development Foundation as forum that houses badminton athletes thus they have succeeded in training superior talents from Jakarta such as Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu. He hopes all athletes from PB Jaya Raya will continue to produce athletes who excel internationally for Indonesia.

"Because in the past Greysia was trained at PPOP, as a youth sports development center, in here you can go to school while being trained for sports. Today, there are hundreds of children training in here. We hope in the future there will be more people who follow their footsteps from PPOP. Then, hopefully the naming of Sasana Building can inspire all of us," he conveyed.

In this activity, Jakarta Government also gave appreciation in form of 800 million rupiah for Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu, as well as 680 million rupiah for coach Eng Hian, 50 million rupiah for each assistants named Ari Subarkah and Chafidz Yusuf, and lifetime membership card from PT. Impian Jaya Ancol.

Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu also received appreciation from Jaya Raya Development Foundation in form of house unit and interior worth 3.3 billion rupiah.

This activity was attended by PB Jaya Raya President Director, Trisna Muliadi; Jakarta DPD RI Representative, Sylviana Murni; PBSI Chairperson, Agung Firdaus Sampurna; Jakarta Dispora Head, Achmad Firdaus; South Jakarta Acting Mayor, Isnawa Adji; and other Jakarta Government officials.