While Solibad Days events have already taken place all over the world, Indonesia joined in the fun on Saturday 20 April 2024. 75 children from Solibad programmes were invited as VIPs to the Indonesian national team centre. With its stars as exceptional guests. Dominique, the initiator of the programme, tells us about this magical day...
"Yes, we really do think that Solibad is an association with real magic wands! And it does this across languages, cultures, religions and even continents. If not, tell me, how could it help to organise, 15,000 km from France, a day like the one experienced by 75 young people from really sad and complicated socio-economic situations? Young people aged between 4 and 19 who live and grow up in a dreadful rubbish dump on the outskirts of Jakarta, others whose parents make a living from odd jobs, still others who have "brought themselves up" on the streets or have been rescued from families where abuse and violence are all too often the order of the day. These 75 young people and their supervisors were invited to spend a day at the Indonesian National Badminton Team Training Centre (PELATNAS). And all this while the greatest Indonesian champions of 2024 were training!
Can you imagine? It was a magical space where these exceptional players were able to carve out their hearts with wonderful emotions and their heads with dreams of champions and exceptional memories that they will proudly recount - with photos to back them up - to their families, friends and teachers for the rest of their lives.
A few brief discussions between Raphael, Monika and the Bintang Kidul team in January, a theme: "Solibad Day" and the "Monika" machine was set in motion. It's Armand (her boss), her and her team who organise the major international badminton tournaments in Indonesia, and they know what they're doing! A little brainstorming and here's their 'recipe'.
The youngsters arrive at the Training Centre; it's 8 o'clock. Everything is ready to go. Monika and about thirty of her team-mates, each one nicer, more dynamic and smiling than the last, offer them a wonderful breakfast, followed by some great games. Everyone got into the swing of things, laughing, young and old, and having a great time. Those who lose get their faces painted. You almost want to lose! So much laughter, so much joy, so much happiness.
It's 10.30am, and the youngsters set off in small groups to discover the PELATNAS facilities. We can't wait to get out on to the courts to experience this unique event up close and personal. That's it. 21 courts, champions banging the steering wheel everywhere and here we are, welcomed by the Junior National Team coach himself. A dozen of our youngsters were invited to play with him, whatever their level of bad! Then, one by one, the great champions arrived, Alwi Farhan, 18, world junior no. 1 Alwi Farhan, 18, world junior no. 1 (2023), all smiles, chatting to the children, laughing with them, letting himself be photographed and starting to play with 4 youngsters....when Gregoria Mariska arrives, followed by Jonathan Christie and Anthony Ginting. Each of them takes a group of 4 youngsters and has a fabulous time!
The players were presented with Yonex rackets, one of the sponsors of the day, but there were also Indofood, Bright Up and many others who helped to make the day a truly memorable one. And we thank them all very much.
After these serious and joyful exchanges, during which our young Abizar, Grace, Alfi, Karla and others inflicted a few epic falls and losing points on their world champion opponents, we thanked them immensely and settled down at the tables in the canteen to enjoy lunch with live music, when suddenly Siti Fadia and Chico Wardoyo arrived and took the microphone and started to sing. The room burst into flames, little hands full of food dangled in the air and everyone joined in. It was enchanting!
So don't tell me this isn't all magic! I assure you that days like these are truly unique in the lives of everyone. Just imagine the wonderful impact it has on young badminton enthusiasts, for whom life is often one heck of a challenge day after day!
The final word is a brief lesson in French to all these extraordinary people and to you, Solibad, a very modest lesson in Indonesian: "Terimakasih, bisou, bisou!" from all the young people of Bintang Kidul.
It's our turn to bring joy to the hearts of Monika and her team in 2 months' time, with our 4 teams in Yogyakarta, where the 2024 World Junior Team Championships will be held. An event that will be organised by this winning team, Monika & Co. We look forward to seeing you there!
in the mean time, there are auctions to bid for some of the heroes items - signed shirts and racket to support Solibad's activities HERE
Photos : Krisna and Agustinus Tri Mulyadi for Solibad