May 10th, 2020
Badminton Legend and former World Champion, Taufik Hidayat admits involved in bribery case against Indonesia's Sports Minister.
This is a sad news for our Badminton Community...
So long story short, the former Indonesia Sports Minister, Imam, got busted by the Corruption Eradication Commission since last year of receiving bribes of around Rp20 billion (around $2 million CAD) from numerous ministries and sports council officials.
During a court hearing last week, Taufik admitted in his testimony that he was acting as an intermediary in an alleged bribery case against from the Indonesia's Sports Minister and had delivered 1 Billion Indonesian Rupiah (around CAD $100,000) to former Sports Minister's assistant (in addition to given $ to the Sports Minister)
Last week, a customer who just started playing badminton asked us who Taufik is. Taufik has always been a Badminton Legend - along with Lin Dan, Peter Gade, Lee Chong Wei, and Lee Yong Dae.
Taufk has won the men's singles World Champion back in 2005, Olympic Champion in 2004, plus another six time Indonesia Open Champions in his life. He's the reason why Arc Saber 10 and Arc Saber 11 are so popular!
Let's hope we will receive more positive news instead for our Badminton Community in 2020 and going forward.
Bonus Picture:
4 Badminton Kings back in Badminton World Championship 2005 (left to right)
Lin Dan of China
Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia
Peter Gade of Denmark
Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia