Being part of the Uber Indonesia team is not something new for women’s singles athlete Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo.
Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo’s younger brother once filled the Uber Indonesia team when it competed in Aarhus, Denmark in 2021.
After being absent in 2022, Ester has been trusted to return to the team. But this time with increasingly heavy responsibilities, he became the second single after Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.
“I feel happy to be trusted again to fill the Uber Indonesia team in 2024,” said Ester after the first training at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Gymnasium, Thursday (25/4/2024) in the official PBSI broadcast.
“However, it cannot be denied that I am also nervous because it is different from 2021. This time my responsibility is bigger because I am second single,” admitted Ester.
Even so, Ester is still looking forward to the game at the Uber Cup this time. He is determined to prove himself to give a match to the singles of the two opponents, most of whom have a higher level.
“I’m excited , I’m determined to prove that I can carry out this task,” said Ester.
“In terms of preparation, the most important thing is to prepare mentally because my potential opponents are definitely more experienced and have a higher ranking.”
“I also have to discuss a lot with the coach to implement the right strategy,” said Ester.
Unlike Ester, her teammate, Ruzana will be a debutant in the Uber Cup this time.
The 2024 Sri Lanka International Series champion shared the moments when he was called into the team.
“At that time, I was called by Sis Rionny (Mainaky) because I was still at home for the Eid holiday. Sis Rionny asked about my condition and readiness to join the Uber team,” said Ruzana .
“I answered that my condition was good and ready to carry out my duties. I would definitely be happy to be able to represent Indonesia in an event as big and prestigious as the Uber Cup,” said Ruzana .
Ruzana had actually been aiming for a place on the Uber Indonesia team in the next two years or 2026, but the opportunity came early and she promised not to waste it.
“I never thought about joining the Uber team this year, but I was targeting it for 2026. So I really didn’t expect it,” said Ruzana .
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for me so I don’t want to waste it. In preparation yesterday I had extra training, there were extras,” admitted the virgin who was born in Lubuklinggau, January 22 2005.
Ruzana also added that the support of her senior siblings really helped her to grow her self-confidence.
“The older siblings here really support and embrace their younger siblings, especially me, who is a debutante,” said Ruzana .
“This makes me more motivated and confident. If I get demoted, I want to contribute points to the Uber Indonesia team,” said Ruzana .
The Indonesian Uber Cup team will start their struggle in Group C of the 2024 Uber Cup by facing Hong Kong on Saturday (27/4/2024).
Apart from Hong Kong, this group also joins Japan and Uganda.