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SBY boosts RI shuttlers morale ahead of world champs
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met on Monday with Indonesian badminton players who are set to compete at the upcoming 2013 BWF World Championships to boost their morale amid Indonesiaâs lack of success in recent international tournaments
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resident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met on Monday with Indonesian badminton players who are set to compete at the upcoming 2013 BWF World Championships to boost their morale amid Indonesia's lack of success in recent international tournaments.
'Every time Indonesian badminton players compete in international events, I always watch no matter what time it is. I get so anxious,' the President told the nation's badminton stars at the State Palace.
The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) has readied 28 shuttlers to compete in the 2013 World Championships slated to be held at TianHe Indoor Gymnasium in Guangzhou, China, from Aug. 5 to 11. The championships will see approximately 400 of the world's top players representing five continents, all competing for the World Championship title.
'Indonesia will fully support all of you in Guangzhou. You will carry Indonesia's pride,' Yudhoyono said.
Accompanying the athletes was PBSI chairman Gita Wirjawan, who is also the trade minister. The President, meanwhile, was accompanied by some Cabinet members, such as Youth and Sports Minister Roy Suryo Notodiprojo, Coordinating People's Welfare Minister Agung Laksono, Industry Minister MS Hidayat and State Secretary Sudi Silalahi.
Commenting on Indonesia's failure to win badminton titles lately, the President said that challenges were normal. 'I often receive reports about problems and challenges in our badminton sector. But I think it's normal.'
Roy Suryo, meanwhile, asked the President to call on national TV stations to provide more time slots to air games in which Indonesians were competing.
