"Thank you to BCA which has been very supportive to Indonesian badminton by sponsoring BIOSSP 2014. Hopefully, its sponsoring may bring new nuance which adds the excitement the so called the world's best badminton tournament," Gita Wirjawan, the president of PBSI, said.
The premier-level tournament will feature 28 participating countries which send their world's top ten players. Indonesia is one of the five countries which has the chance to hold premier-level tournament beside China, Denmark, Malaysia, and England.
"There are only five countries that can hold premier-level tournament, thus, we should be proud as this sport can also unite people. With the incredible crowd's enthusiasm, management, and also professionalism allow this tournament become the BWF's best badminton tournament in the world." Said Anton Subowo, the head of committee of BIOSSP 2014 which is also acting Secretary General Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).
Named as BWF's world best badminton tournament, BIOSSP 2014 will strive to maintain the success. Preparations have been made to increase the tournament quality such as increasing the amount of the prize to US$750,000, US$50,000 difference than last year.
Moreover, this time the tournament will only held in six days against last year's 7 day tournament. The four courts are going to be used instead of three.
"We manage to make this tournament become 6 day event and utilize four courts since due to tight schedule. A week before, mosy of the athletes took part in Japan Open," Anton stated at the BIOSSP 2014 press conference at Kempinski Hotel, Jakarta, Monday (2/6).
"The preparation is nearly 90%, the red nuance is now transformed to bluish nuance since the sponsor transformation. However, the crowd's enthusiasm will be remain festive and thrilling. This tournament is rather unique because the players will get additional energy from the spectators. In this year's championship, China will also send their full team, thus this will become a challenge for the home team," Achmad Budiharto, the vice president of BIOSSP 2014 committee.
This tournament will not be possible without the supports from sponsors like BCA and Djarum Foundation. Althought the very first time, BCA admits that it is very excited to be a part of this Indonesian badminton fiesta. "Badminton is a sport that has a special place in Indonesian people. This is the sport that can generate Indonesian champions. Therefore, we are very excited to support this championship, we are proud to be a part of it," BCA's Eugene Keith Galbraith stated.
"Djarum Foundation, through Bakti Olahraga program, is indeed focusing in badminton, this BIOSSP is not an exception. Although this year is full of political atmosphere, we are sure BIOSSP 2014 can unite the nation. When entering Istora Senayan Stadium, people put off their political attributes and each of them chants for the nation. As the best tournament, this tournament may not only be sport event but also be people's entertainment," Budi Darmawan representing Djarum Foundation stated.
The Indonesian badminton stars such as Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan, Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir, Tommy Sugiarto, Simon Santoso, Bellaetrix Manuputty, Nitya Krishinda Maheswari/Greysia Polii will fight in front of the supporters in the stadium which is known of its thrilling crowd.
World class badminton players like Chen Long (China), Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia), Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei (China), Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Christinna Pedersen (Denmark) will also take parts in Jakarta.
