After 24 years, Indonesia has finally returned to the international World Superbike (WSBK) scene. From 19–21 November, the WSBK Championship 2021 played out at the Mandalika circuit in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The event marked a return to form for Indonesia as host of high-level sporting events; the last time the archipelago hosted the WSBK was back in 1997, at the Sentul racetrack in Bogor, West Java.
WSBK Mandalika served as the opening event for the Mandalika Circuit, kicking off the 2021 Asia Talent Cup (ATC). Many observers have suggested the event’s success could serve as the starting gun for an Indonesian tourism revival in the months ahead. Indeed, the archipelago successfully demonstrated its capacity to host large-scale, multinational events in a safe and enjoyable manner.
“The implementation of the WSBK has provided fresh air and great hope for Indonesian tourism, in particular,” said local tourism expert Amirosa Ria Satiadji, from Lombok State Polytechnic. The success of the event bodes well for the future, with Indonesia set to host the MotoGP in March 2022. In addition to racing, a number of other sporting events in the past few weeks have opened the door to tourism and helped Indonesia finish the year on a high.
At the end of November, the Indonesia Badminton Festival (IBF) collaborated with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to invite the world’s top badminton players to compete in the 2021 BWF World Tour Finals in Bali. The event organising committee spent a week on the island, where they enjoyed a performance of the world-famous Kecak dance at Uluwatu, before continuing to the Rock Bar in the Ayana Resort area of Jimbaran.
Several big-name players also joined the committee, and were amazed with what Bali has to offer. Kento Momota, the world’s number one badminton player was especially impressed by Bali’s cultural and culinary delights. “We had such a warm and amazing welcome,” said Momota during his visit. “This is the first time a tournament has held activities like taking us [the players] on visits to tourist attractions in Bali, which are very beautiful. Also the food is delicious,” he added.
The BWF World Tour Finals 2021 were held from 1–5 December in Bali, Indonesia. In a repeat of the previous week’s Indonesia Masters 2021 final, Indonesia’s own Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo competed against Japan’s Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi and won, 21-14 21-18. Following on from success in 2018 and 2019, they become the first men’s doubles pair to win the Indonesia Open three times in a row. “Today we gave our best and have become champions again,” said an elated but tired Gideon. “We tried our best because it’s for our country – everything is sore now,” he laughed.
Just as the athletes have given their all for Indonesia, their country continues to pull out all the stops for visiting athletes, spectators and organisers, as the archipelago continues to develop its reputation as the home of elite sporting events. From badminton and motor racing to cultural attractions and culinary delights, Indonesia offers something for everyone.
