Farewell, Uber Cup heroine: Shuttler Tati Sumirah dies at 68

Tati Sumirah, the prominent shuttler who helped the Indonesian team bring home its first Uber Cup trophy in 1975, passed away on Thursday evening at 10:30 p.m. She was 68.

Tati had been receiving intensive care for the past nine days at Persahabatan Central General Hospital in Rawamangun, East Jakarta. Her family said she was being treated for high blood sugar and lung disease.

The retired shuttler was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 4 in critical condition and had not regained consciousness until her death on Thursday, said her nephew, Reza Aditya Pratama, who had stayed by her side since his aunt was admitted. 

Reza said her funeral would be held on Friday at Kemiri Utan Kayu Public Cemetery in Rawamangun.

“We are extremely devastated by Tati Sumirah’s passing. She was not only a hero of the Tangkas Club, but also of Indonesia's badminton history. Thanks to her dedication, Indonesia won its first Uber Cup in 1975,” said Juniarto, the deputy chairman of the Jakarta PB Tangkas badminton club.

Juniarto remembers Tati as a hard-working, persistent athlete. She practiced every day and her father, Sugrisno, was always there with her.

Tati was born on Feb. 9, 1952 in Jakarta, and was passionate about badminton from an early age.

She won silver in women's singles at the 1974 World Invitational Tournament in front of the home crowd in Jakarta, and a women's singles bronze at the 1980 IBF World Championships, also in Jakarta.

But the highlight of Tati's career came when she helped the Indonesian team claim the Uber Cup in 1975, becoming the first women's singles player to score the winning point for Indonesia.

“Her fighting spirit, selfless dedication and her efforts to support the glory of Indonesian badminton has [made her] a role model and inspiration for Indonesian badminton players,” said Juniarto.