kilassurabaya.com | SIDOARJO – The decision to leave one’s comfort zone at home is often considered a big gamble for an athlete, but for Mustaqim Nur Cahyo, Manila is just the first step in a map of racket diplomacy that he designed himself.
In 2016, when his coaching career in Indonesia was starting to stabilize, Mustaqim took a decision that was quite surprising for many: to go abroad (abroad).
The solid reason behind his ambition to train abroad is his desire to prove that Indonesian badminton training standards can be applied universally and recognized internationally by the world body (BWF).
The Philippines became the first country to become his international career port.
Join Asuncion Badminton Centerin the 2016-2017 period, Mustaqim had a dual role assparring partneras well as a trainer.
Choosing the Philippines as a starting point was not without reason; he saw the immense potential of athletes there, who needed the distinctive technical touch of Indonesia, renowned for its subtlety and strategic ingenuity.
He wants to build a track record as an elite coach capable of producing national champions outside of Indonesia’s established badminton ecosystem.
Coaching in a completely foreign environment presents significant cultural and communication challenges. Mustaqim must adapt to the lifestyle and work ethic of Filipino athletes, which differ from those of athletes in East Java.
There, he began to hone his interpersonal skills and learned to work under high pressure to deliver competitive performances in international tournaments.
His experience in the Philippines was not just about winning or losing, but about validating that his training methodology was acceptable and yielding results on the global stage.
In a discussion about his decision to choose the Philippines, Mustaqim emphasized, “I wanted to test my skills in a place where I’m not known. Abroad, people don’t care who I am in Indonesia; they only care if I can make them champions.”
“The Philippines gave me a new perspective: badminton is a universal language. I chose to move abroad because I wanted my coaching methodology to be recognized globally, not just at the national level,” Mustaqim added.
Her success in the Philippines then opened doors to other opportunities in the Middle East and South Asia. The competencies she developed in Manila were reinforced by the certifications she continually pursued to further her career.
He has obtained certificationOnline Component of BWF Coach Education Level 1since July 2018 and also certificationBWF Shuttle Time (Online Component)in November 2025.
His bold move to the Philippines has proven that Mustaqim Nur Cahyo is an “Indonesian Warrior” who is ready to raise the Red and White flag through his coaching skills wherever he is. (ist)
