Fan zone: A fan, watched by others, tries smash a shuttlecock while on trampoline outside the playing hall. (JP/R. Berto Wedhatama)

For badminton-crazed Ari, 20, the Djarum Indonesia Open Premier Super Series is a must-watch spectacle, even if she has to travel an hour and half by car from Purwakarta, West Java.

'This is our second time coming to the Indonesian Open. We are coming to support Indonesian shuttlers, especially our favorites, Vita Marissa and Liliyana Natsir,' she said of the two female shuttlers.

For most of the local fans, the tournament at Istora Senayan has become a fun event, regardless of whether their heroes win or lose.

Inside the hall, home supporters become raucous with yells and the beating of balloon tubes. The merry atmosphere, in most cases, quashes their disappointment of watching their player crash out.

They refrain from shouting at the ousted Indonesian players. Instead, the crowd offers consolation and appreciation by applauding them.

Ari said that the tournament had increased in popularity.

'I think the atmosphere this year has been a lot merrier compared to the previous year with fun adornments.'

Bogorian Sari, 27, who admitted to attending the event since 2008, lauded the organization but criticized that the organizers had failed to boost the ambience in the stadium significantly.

'Some corners are lacking colors, unlike the last event.'

'To my observation, the organizers have been gradually improving the event's organization, from ticketing to the entertainment package,' she said, referring to various products for sale, the food court, souvenir stands, fun badminton-related games as well as a music stage outside the arena.

This year's tournament has a batik-inspired theme, displaying soft colors, while last year's had had comic-inspired theme, which was emblazoned with bold colors.

Hasan, 48, from Kinabalu, Malaysia, lauded the organizers for having put together such a unique event for badminton. He made paid a visit to the capital just for the event.

'This is my first time coming to the Indonesia Open. Overall, it's been great,' he said.

The organizers said that the tournament had attracted more people than before.

'As you can see, we have more people today [for the semifinals on Saturday] compared to last year,' PT Djarum marketing manager Roland Halim told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

'People are curious about our new champion,' he said.

The ongoing tournament marks the final year of the three-year sponsorship deal by the cigarette maker.

'Next year, we're still clueless,' Roland said.

'I can say that there will be no Djarum Indonesia Open. First, it is because our three-year contract has been completed. Second, the use of this type sponsorship brand will no longer be available.

'So, [the sponsorship of] next year's Indonesia Open still carries a big question mark,' he added.

Roland's statement referred to Government Regulation No. 109/2012 on tobacco control that bans the use of tobacco-related product's names, brands and logos on sponsored events. It also prohibits tobacco companies sponsoring events covered by all media.  

Despite the corporation possibly not being able to support next year's Indonesia Open, Roland said that PT Djarum would continue backing up the sport in other ways.

BWF events director Darren Parks offered his compliment to the tournament's organizers.

'Indonesia Open is one of the two best tournaments in the BWF Super Series, besides the All England championships,' he said on Friday. 'It [ the Indonesia Open] is unique in many ways and very vibrant.'

For the next four-year cycle, BWF hopes for a wider and better exposure of the sport on television.

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