Former Olympian and Uber Cupper Rosiana Tendean – a household name in her country Indonesia and the badminton world in the 80s and 90s – has earned all round praise as the event director of this year's Pembangunan Jaya Raya Badminton Asia Junior Championships which got underway at Gedung Olahraga Pembangunan Jaya Raya in Bintaro, Jakarta on Saturday.
The 52-year-old former international has taken it upon herself that "quality food" is served to the players, team officials and all the technical staff at the venue of the tournament.
"As a former international myself I know what type of food is needed, especially for players. There is a wide variety of delicacies, both local and foreign, for the players…food that gives you energy.
"The players need food that gives them energy. I have ensured that there is different menu for each day and different menu for lunch and dinner," said Rosiana.
Among the delicacies lined up by Rosiana is the famous Indonesian Nasi Goreng Udang (prawns fried rice), Siomay Bandung ( a local delicacy), Nasi Goreng Sausage Ayam and Fried Chicken, Chicken Wings with BBQ Sauce.
Also on the list is Beef Lasagna, Beef Kebab, Fish & Chips, Spaghetti Bolognese & Carbonara, Yakitori, Dendeng Balodu, Grilled Chicken, Tempe Goreng, Sweet & Sour Fish plus several others.
And it is "Thumbs Up" from all where food is concerned at the venue of the Under-19 tournament which has attracted a record 23 teams, including China who have won the mixed team title for the last four years from 2013.
Kazkhstan manager-cum coach Askar Ormanov said: "We are getting good food here. It is delicious and we are enjoying the food very much."
As the event director Rosiana, has also taken note of the time factor. Concerned with the time being wasted by the players after warming up for their match, Rosiana swung into action to getting in touch with the Liaison Officers to change the travelling schedule of the teams from their hotel to the venue.
Instead of having a bus leave the hotel at every hour at 7am, 8am and 9am for their matches the scheduled is now changed to 7.30am, 8.30am and 9.30am.
"As a former player myself I know that to come early to the stadium to warm up early and then wait for a long time for your match to begin is not only 'time wasting' but it can affect a player's physical condition.
"It is not the way to go onto the court and not the right thing to do…the wait after warming up can be long and this can affect your play," said Rosiana.
Rosiana played in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics – the year Indonesia's Susi Susanti won the women's singles gold. She did not fare well in Barcelona but Rosiana is proud that she donned Indonesia colours in five Uber Cup Finals.
Rosiana made her Uber Cup debut in 1984 but Indonesia lost the final 3-2 to arch-rivals China.
"We lost the final but I am proud that I was undefeated in all my matches in the tournament," reflects Rosiana on her badminton career before she quit her international duty in 1995 – but not before helping Indonesia win the Uber Cup in 1994.
Rosiana is currently coaching kids aged between 8-10 at the Jakarta International Culture School.
