REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia has sent 24 players to compete in the Asian Junior Badminton Championship 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand, from June 28 to July 5.
"Considering how good the Indonesian team looks on paper, we will most likely be able to advance to at least the semifinal round in the group event. As all members of the team are nearly equally capable, any one of them could contribute points for Indonesia," Team Manager Umar Djaidi said, according to the Media and Public Relations Team of the All Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI), on Thursday.
Apart from aiming for a spot in the semifinals, the Indonesian squad is aiming to secure a gold medal in the individual event, as well.
Djaidi added that Indonesia would rely on its men's singles and women's doubles players to contribute points.
"But we hope every sector contributes points in the group event later," he stated.
In the 2014 tournament, Indonesia brought home one bronze medal won by Muhammad Rian Aridianto/Zakia Ulfa, while in the group event, the Indonesian team was knocked out in the big eight round after being defeated by the South Korean team.
"We hope to win medals from at least the individual events to equalize last year's achievement. However, we hope we win a gold medal this year, regardless of where it comes from," Djaidi remarked.
Djaidi, who also manages the Mutiara Cardinal Club from Bandung, further noted that he is confident that the players will perform their best, even though the team was formed only a month ago.
The players were chosen from the PBSI national training center and from a number of clubs in the country.
The men's events players include Firman Abdul Kholik, Enzi Shafira, Panji Ahmad Maulana, Vega Vio Nirwanda, Muhammad Fachrikar, Muhammad Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, Yahya Adi Kumara, Yanthoni Edy Saputra, Andhika Ramadiansyah, Rinov Rivaldy, Beno Drajat, Zulfauzi Habibi, and Fachriza Abimanyu.
In addition, the women's events shuttlers are Gregoria Mariska, Ruselli Hartawan, Made Deya Surya Saraswati, Rika Rositawati, Nisak Puji Lestari, Jauza Fadhila Sugiarto, Apriani Rahayu, Marshella Gischa Islami, Ramadhani Hastiyanti Putri, Yulfira Barkah, and Syifa Fauziah.
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