The Indonesian Badminton Team for the 2025 SEA Games Will Be Dominated by Young Athletes

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – While striving to secure medals, the Central Board of the Indonesian Badminton Association or PBSI is implementing a regeneration program in selecting athletes who will compete in the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. The majority of the athletes, especially the male players, are those who have never participated in a multi-sport event.

PBSI announced the "Merah Putih" squad for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand on Thursday (31/10/2025). The competition among multi-sport athletes from Southeast Asian countries will take place in Thailand, divided into three major regions: Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla, from December 9 to 20, 2025. The badminton event, which will compete for seven gold medals, is scheduled for December 7 to 14.

A total of ten male and ten female athletes will represent Indonesia. In the men's team, only Alwi Farhan, Leo Rolly Carnando, and Bagas Maulana have previously competed in the SEA Games.

Leo won the men's doubles gold medal alongside Daniel Marthin at the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam, while Bagas secured a bronze medal in the same event in Cambodia 2023 with Muhammad Shohibul Fikri. These players also represented Indonesia in the men's team event.

Alwi, who made his debut at the 2023 SEA Games, was part of the men's team that won the gold medal despite not having the opportunity to play. Two years ago, Alwi only served as the third singles player behind Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo and Christian Adinata, which meant he did not get a chance to compete when Indonesia triumphed over Singapore in the semifinals and Malaysia in the final, with scores of 3-1 in each match.

Alwi also did not compete in the individual category as Indonesia's men's singles was represented by Chico and Christian, who faced each other in the final, which was won by Christian. In individual competition, each country can only place two representatives.

In Thailand 2025, Alwi will have a different role as he will lead the men's single sector, which is also reinforced by Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah and Yohanes Saut Marcellyno. The three athletes are within the age range of 18-22 years.

Zaki, a finalist in the 2025 Junior World Championship, and Saut will experience their first SEA Games, as will Raymond Indra, Nikolaus Joaquin (men's doubles), and Jafar Hidayatullah (mixed doubles).

From the ranks of the female players, Putri Kusuma Wardani will lead her teammates. This semifinalist of the 2025 World Championship is appearing at the SEA Games for the second time after winning a bronze medal at the 2021 SEA Games.

In addition to Putri, those who have previously been part of the SEA Games team include Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari, Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma, Rachel Alessya Rose, and Meilysa Trias Puspitasari. Febriana won the women's doubles gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games alongside Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi, an athlete who is not part of the 2025 SEA Games team, after defeating Rachel/Meilysa in the final.

Meanwhile, Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan, Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu, and Febi Setianingrum will experience the SEA Games atmosphere for the first time.

The Head of the Development and Achievement Division of PP PBSI, Eng Hian, stated that Indonesia is providing opportunities for young players to experience pressure, the atmosphere of multi-sport events, and to sharpen their mental skills in both individual and team categories. This policy is implemented as part of a long-term regeneration program.

"The long-list was sent out several months ago. These young players need varied competition experience and playing time as they mature. Therefore, we decided to send them to a tournament with a different feel than usual, namely a multi-sport event," said Eng Hian.

With that squad, PBSI aims to secure one gold medal, particularly from the women's singles sector, which is reinforced by Putri. In the 2023 SEA Games, Indonesia's badminton team won five gold medals, three silver medals, and three bronze medals.

Gold was won by Christian (singles), Pramudya Kusumawardana/Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan (men's doubles), Febriana/Amalia (women's doubles), Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati (mixed doubles), and from the men's team category.

Putri, who is ranked seventh in the world, performed quite consistently in 2025 with her highest achievement being reaching the semifinals of the World Championship in France.

This week, Putri is competing in the Hylo Open tournament in Germany and will play in the quarter-finals on Friday midnight Indonesian time. She reached this stage after experiencing poor results in two consecutive tournaments, namely the second round of the Denmark Open and the first round of the France Open. Nevertheless, Eng Hian believes that Putri's overall ability has improved.

"I see that Putri has become more confident after winning the bronze medal at the World Championship. At the SEA Games, I hope she can be a driving force, both in the team and individual categories," said Eng Hian.

In facing other countries that are reducing their main strength, such as Malaysia and Thailand, Eng Hian hopes that Indonesian athletes can compete without pressure. They should instead take advantage of the opportunity with the status of "underdog."

Malaysia will be strengthened by Olympic and World Championship medalists, such as Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik in men's doubles and Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles). One of Thailand's mainstays is Kunvalut Vitidsarn, the 2023 men's singles world champion and silver medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Indonesian Badminton Team for the 2025 SEA Games

Son:

1. Alwi Farhan

2. Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah

3. Yohanes Saut Marcellyno

4. Prahdiska Bagas Shujiwo

5. Leo Rolly Carnando

6. Bagas Maulana

7. Raymond Indra

8. Nikolaus Joaquin

9. Jafar Hidayatullah

10. Amri Syahnawi

Daughter:

1. Princess Kusuma Wardani

2. Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari

3. Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan

4. Ni Kadek Dhinda Amartya Pratiwi

5. Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma

6. Meilysa Trias Puspitasari

7. Rachel Allessya Rose

8. Febi Setianingrum

9. Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu

10. Nita Violina Marwah