Let’s play: Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) head of development Rexy Mainaky (left), BCA Indonesia Open badminton tournament chief organizer Anton Subowo (second left), PBSI chief Gita Wirjawan (third left) pose with Indonesian shuttler Praveen Jordan (right) and his mixed doubles partner Debby Susanto (second right), in a press conference for the BCA Indonesia Open Superseries Premier 2016 in Jakarta on Wednesday
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Set to be held less than three months ahead of the Summer Olympics, BCA Indonesia Open Superseries Premier 2016 offers a world-class showdown in Jakarta, starting on May 30.
As many as 320 shuttlers from 24 countries are up for 199 matches in their hunt for five titles and US$900,000 in prize money in the week-long tournament.
Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) development division head Rexy Mainaky said that the seven-day tournament would be an opportunity to evaluate shuttlers likely to compete at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.
“We can also study strengths and weaknesses of shuttlers from other countries — they may be our opponents at the Olympics,” Rexy told a press conference for the tournament in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Indonesia has secured 10 Olympic tickets, which are under names of Tommy Sugiarto in men’s singles, Lindaweni Fanetri in women’s singles, Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari in women’s doubles as well as Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir and Praveen Jordan and Debby Susanto in mixed doubles.
While Indonesian shuttlers are looking to the titles, Rexy said he wanted his shuttlers to enjoy the tournament.
“The Indonesia Open is a perfect opportunity for our second-layered shuttlers to play,” said Rexy.
Rexy wants Indonesia’s elite shuttlers to give their bodies a chance to recover after year-long bouts to earn points for the Olympics.
Praveen Jordan, the 2016 All England mixed double champion, said playing in front of a home crowd was always a unique and exciting feeling.
“You will never find supporters as creative as those at the Indonesia Open,” said Praveen of the tournament, which will be held at Istora Indoor Stadium at the Senayan sports complex in Jakarta.
“I don’t think other badminton tournaments overseas offer the same madness as you get here,” he added.
Other than noisy fans, the Indonesian Open also offers big prize money.
“There are a lot of badminton players around the world who want to play at the Indonesia Open so badly,” said the 23-year-old.
The last time hosting shuttlers won the Indonesia Open was in 2013, when Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan won the men’s doubles title.
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