Only One Gold, Indonesia Find Medal at BWF World Junior Championship

Yogyakarta, (Antara Sumbar) - Indonesia is targeting one gold medal from individual event in the Badminton World Federation world junior championshiop scheduled here from October 9 to 22.

"There are several sectors in the individual events that offer opportunities for players to win a gold medal but the most promising one is the women's single event," Indonesia World Junior Championship team manager Susy Susanti said here on Sunday.

Other sectors from the individual events women's double and mixed double events, she said.

"The most important thing is all players must work hard as preparations have been carried out well. Minimally we must win one title," she said.

The individual events will be staged from October 16 to 33. A total of 64 countries will take part in the WJC in Yogyakarta to make it the biggest so far.

Mixed group events are scheduled from October 9 to 14 and they will be participated in by 45 countries with Suhandinata Cup to be awarded for the champion.

Indonesia has set a target of reaching the semifinal round in the mixed group events. "Minimally we must reach the semifinals but I remain hoping the Indonesian team will win a champion title," Susy said.

In the mixed group events the Indonesian team has been out as the second seeded after the South Korean team.

One of Indonesia's promising women's player Gregoria Mariska Tunjung who will play for the last time in the junior championship has expressed determination to make the best achievement although extra efforts need to be taken as her rivals are not easy to beat.

"Players from Malaysia and China are strong opponents. But, I will do my best. This will be my final performance in the junior championship and so I must make the best record," Mariska said.

Her fellow players like Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto hoped they could reach semifinals in the individual as well as mixed group events.

"South Korea, Japan and other countries will field their best players. I play maximally without burden," Rehan who will pair with Siti Fadia in the mixed double event said.

One of the men's single players of France, Christo Popov, who will perform for the first time in the world championship has set no target as "my aim is seeking competition experience. I have no special target," he said.

Indonesia has again been trusted to host the WJC 2017 after 25 years. "We will organize the championshiop in the form if sportainment. We will not only present matches but also entertainment events. We hope they will make people to love badminton more," organizing committee chairman Achmad Budiharto said.

People will be free to watch the matches from elimination to quarter finsl rounds but have to pay tickets to watch semifinal to final rounds. Tickets are sold at Rp50,000 each for VIP seats and Rp10,000 for non-VIP. (*)