Six Countries to Compete in Junior International Challenge in Surabaya

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - About 300 shuttlers from six Asian countries will compete in "Jaya Raya Junior International Challenge 2014" tournament at the Sudirman Sports Stadium here on August 26-31. The six countries, which will participate in the tournament with a total prize of US$20 thousand, are Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, and host Indonesia, day-to-day chief of the Jaya Raya badminton association Imelda Kurniawan said here on Monday. "China will not participate, as the event coincides with a tournament in the country. However, shuttlers from South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia will enliven the tournament," noted the former national shuttler. Imelda explained that the tournament, which has been held since 2008, will comprise men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. Indonesia made a clean sweep of five titles at the Junior International Challenge held in Jakarta last year. "We hope the domestic shuttlers will repeat the achievement this year despite the expected stiff competition," she remarked. Chief of the tournament subsection of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) Eddyanto Sabarudin stated that host Indonesia will send more than 200 shuttlers from various clubs to participate in the tournament. The 200 shuttlers include 12 athletes from the national training camp (pelatnas) in Cipayung, East Jakarta. "Almost in all events, Indonesian shuttlers occupy the list of top-seeded players, so the chance of winning is wide open," he added. (*) Reported by Didik Kusbiantoro