Sport in Indonesia

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Hanuman was the mascot of the 1997 SEA Games, hosted by Jakarta.

Sport is popular in Indonesia and this fact occurs on both participation and spectating aspect. However, due to the popularity of computer games, level of participation has been significantly decreasing. Association football is the most popular sport in Indonesia, followed closely by badminton.^[1] Sporting events in Indonesia are organised by the Indonesian National Sport Committe (Komite Olahraga Nasional Indonesia or KONI). The organisation, along with the Indonesian government have set the National Sports Day on September 9.^[1]

[edit] Football

Football is the most popular sport in Indonesia. It is played at all levels, from children to middle-aged men. Domestic league is extremely popular. Some of the major teams include Persija Jakarta, Persib Bandung, Persebaya Surabaya, PSM Makassar,[Persik Kediri] and Arema Malang. The national body is the Football Association of Indonesia.

European football has a very large following, especially the English FA Premier League, followed closely by the Italian Serie A.

On the international stage, Indonesia experienced limited success despite being the first Asian team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup back in 1938. In 1956, the football team played in the Olympics and played a hard-fought draw against then footballing superpower USSR with the legendary Lev Yashin playing under the goal for USSR. With Jakarta being the host, Indonesia won the gold medal for football in the 1962 Asian Games. Indonesia's first appearance in Asian Cup was back in 1996. With a draw against Kuwait in their first match and lost their following two matches against South Korea and the UAE made the team had to pack home early. Until today, the Indonesian national team have always qualified for the Asian Cup. In Asian Cup 2004, the national team recorded their first win in the Cup against Qatar, but the dream of the nation of going to the second round were shattered due to the defeat against China and Bahrain in the following group games.

Indonesia will co-host the 2007 AFC Asian Cup with Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

[edit] Badminton

Badminton is Indonesia's most successful sport. Indonesia has won the gold medal in badminton since the sport was first introduced to the Olympics in 1992. In Olyimpc 1992 its came from Alan Budikusuma in single men's, and Susi Susanti in single women's. In Olympic 1996 Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky got gold medal from double men's. In Olympic 2000 Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto also got gold medal from double men's. In the last olympic 2004 Taufik Hidayat got a gold medal from single men's.

Indonesian badminton athletes have played in Indonesia Open Badminton Championship, All England Open Badminton Championships and many international events, including summer olympics ever since badminton is played again in the 1992 Summer Olympics. Rudy Hartono is an Indonesian legendary badminton player, who has succeded to win All England titles six times in a row.^[2]

Indonesia is the most nations won Thomas Cup ( Men Nations Badminton Championship ) 13 of 24, and 3 times won Uber Cup ( Women Nations Badminton Championship ).