As many as 28 countries will take part in the BCA Indonesia Open Metlife BWF World Superseries Premier 2014, with a total prize of US$750,000 for the competitionâs winners
s many as 28 countries will take part in the BCA Indonesia Open Metlife BWF World Superseries Premier 2014, with a total prize of US$750,000 for the competition's winners. The sports extravaganza, jointly sponsored by Bank Central Asia (BCA) and the Djarum Foundation, will be held from June 17 - 22 this year at the Senayan Sports Stadium, Jakarta.
China, Malaysia, Denmark, Australia and Indonesia will be among the countries to send their players to the event, honored by the Badminton World Federation as the best badminton tournament in the world in both 2012 and 2013.
Djarum Foundation communications manager for sports Budi Darmawan said that the tournament was part of a series of activities that the organization conducted to support the advancement of badminton in Indonesia.
'We have organized several programs related to badminton in Indonesia, including the Djarum Superliga competition and a coaching clinic program where we send mentors to teach badminton techniques to Indonesian children in different cities,' he told reporters during a press conference on Monday.
He said that international participants in this year's competition, especially China, were top performers in the world of badminton.
'The competition will be tough. However, I hope that aside from being a good host, Indonesia will also be champions in the tournament's many categories,' he said.
BCA vice president Eugene Keith Galbraith echoed Budi's statements, saying he hoped that the tournament would motivate Indonesian badminton athletes to pursue greater achievements in their careers.
Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) secretary general Anton Subowo said that most big badminton tournaments were still held in Jakarta due to considerations of efficiency.
'We want to develop badminton in areas outside Jakarta, but for the time being we need to be realistic and take efficiency into our consideration. If we hold the tournaments in Jakarta, we can keep down our costs as infrastructure, supporting logistics and transportation are relatively more advanced in the capital city,' he told reporters during the press conference.
Budi said that he was sure that the tournament would be able to unify Indonesians ahead of the upcoming presidential election in July.
'Badminton supporters may have different preferences for the upcoming presidential election, but during the competition, all Indonesians will declare their support for Indonesia,' he said.
Those watching this year's tournament will also be delighted by various fringe entertainment events held at the Senayan sports stadium, including music and games.
'Sport is a leisure activity, so it needs to be entertaining,' Budi concluded.
Online tickets are available at www.bibli.com and information on the match, live score and live streaming can be seen at www.djarumbadminton.com.
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