2025-11-29,KUALA LUMPUR

Indonesia have joined the growing list of nations strengthening their badminton squads for the SEA Games from Dec 9-20, mirroring the aggressive selection strategies of hosts Thailand and Malaysia in the race for gold.

Thailand have named their strongest side to dominate on home soil, led by former world champions Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Ratchanok Intanon' and mixed doubles star Dechapol Puavaranukroh.

Malaysia responded in similar fashion, naming a squad featuring former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, reigning mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and world No. 2 women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah.

Indonesia's initial plan was to send a young and relatively inexperienced team to the biennial event.

But the BA of Indonesia (PBSI) has now strengthened their line-up as they chase their government-set target of two gold medals in Bangkok.

They have added world No. 8 men's doubles pair Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani and top women's singles shuttler Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.

The reshuffle sees Sabar-Reza replace youngsters Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin, while Gregoria comes in for Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan.

PBSI development and achievement chairman Eng Hian said the changes were made on technical and strategic grounds to ensure Indonesia remain competitive against their regional rivals.

"This adjustment reflects our commitment to ensuring the best team composition in pursuit of the SEA Games target," he said in a statement quoted by Antara on Friday.

He added that the move aligns with the Ministry of Youth and Sports' directive for two gold medals, stressing that Indonesia cannot afford to lag behind Thailand and Malaysia.

Eng Hian said the SEA Games remain an important platform for player development and described the new approach as a long-term investment.

"It is not just about producing new players, but about safeguarding Indonesia's achievements for the next five to 10 years."

A total of seven gold medals will be on offer at the SEA Games.

The squad

Men's singles: Alwi Farhan, Moh Zaki Ubaidillah, Yohanes Saut Marcellyno and Prahdiska Bagas Shujiwo.

Doubles: Leo Rolly Carnando-Bagas Maulana and Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani.

Women's singles: Putri Kusuma Wardani, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari and Ni Kadek Dhinda Amartya Pratiwi.

Doubles: Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Meilysa Trias Puspitasari and Rachel Allessya Rose-Febi Setianingrum.

Mixed doubles: Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu and Amri Syahnawi-Nita Violina Marwah.