REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia's top mixed doubles pair Tontowi Ahmad (Owi)/Liliyana Natsir (Butet) have affirmed that they do not want to be burdened by any target at the BCA Indonesia Badminton Open that begins here on Tuesday.
"We are indeed expected to become the champions at the Indonesia Open. As the host nation, certainly, we harbor strong hopes to win it. We will indeed fight, but we do not want to be burdened by the target. We will just enjoy playing," Butet stated here on Monday.
Owi and Butet recently lost to the unseeded pair Lee Chun Hei Reginald/Chau Hoi Wah from Hong Kong at the Australian Super Series 2015, which was rather unexpected.
"We will just put in our maximum efforts and the best we can. Our opponents have now equalized us, and so, the competition will be stiff," she emphasized.
In the first round of the BCA Indonesia Open Superseries Premier 2015, Owi/Butet will play against Lee/Chau from Hong Kong.
It is hoped that Owi/Butet will be able to avenge their defeat and win the match to proceed to the second round of the championship.
General Chairman of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) Gita Wirjawan recently stated that Indonesia will be relying on the men's doubles and mixed doubles events for titles at the championship.
"I have set a target of two titles from the events. The men's doubles pair Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan and Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir will be our hopes in the tournament," he pointed out.
Wirjawan remarked that he has also decided to give an opportunity to the young players in the tournament.
"Several young players in the men's singles event such as Jonatan Christie, Ikhsan Maulana, and Firman Abdul Khalik will be given an opportunity to showcase their capabilities along with other young players in this tournament," he noted.
"They will meet players from China, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, India, and Denmark, so the tournament is expected to provide them experience when they later participate in other tournaments," he stated.
This Superseries Premier event is one of the world-class tournaments, and so, world-ranking players are obliged to participate in it.
Around 500 shuttlers from more than 20 countries will take part in the event.
BCA, the sponsor of the event, is offering a total cash prize of Rp10 billion to the title winners.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika