The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore (KBRI Singapore) and the UGM Tennis Association organized a friendly tennis match to strengthen bonds of friendship on Saturday (Oct. 19) at the UGM Tennis Courts.
The event was attended by 30 players from the UGM Tennis Association and 29 from KBRI Singapore, 5 of whom were Singaporean nationals.
Irawati, a tennis player from KBRI Singapore, mentioned that this is the first time tKBRI Singapore has organized a friendly tennis match on the UGM campus.
Previously, the embassy had organized similar matches in Singapore with ITB, UI, and SMAN 6 Jakarta Alumni.
She hopes the tennis players from KBRI Singapore, mainly the Singaporean nationals, will use this visit to learn and engage in cultural exchange with Yogyakarta’s local culture.
She also expressed hopes for a reciprocal visit from UGM to Singapore.
“I hope UGM will visit KBRI Singapore,” Ira said.
Professor Kuncoro, Chair of the UGM Tennis Association, expressed his appreciation for the visit from KBRI Singapore’s tennis team. He hopes this tennis match will strengthen friendships and create new connections between KBRI Singapore and UGM.
Rida Sobana, representing KBRI Singapore, shared the same sentiment.
“Hopefully, from this event, we will gain many new friends, new connections, new collaborations, and possibly relationships beyond the tennis courts between the Indonesian diaspora and UGM in Yogyakarta,” Sobana remarked.
In her speech, Dr. Rr. Siti Murtiningsih, the Dean of the UGM Faculty of Philosophy, who represents the UGM Rector, noted that the main objective of this match was not competition between KBRI Singapore and UGM but to foster solidarity among participants.
“Winning or losing is not the primary goal of our gathering this morning; what’s most important is the camaraderie, friendship, and harmony,” Dr. Murtiningsih explained.
The friendly tennis match was officially opened with a symbolic tennis ball hit by Professor Panut Mulyono, the UGM Rector for the 2017-2022 period, and Irawati, a representative from KBRI Singapore.
The match, from 06:30 to 13:00 WIB, featured three categories: women’s, men’s, and mixed doubles.
Author: Hanif
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif