JAKARTA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's landmark badminton arena of Istora Senayan was scheduled to host international badminton tournament of 2018 Indonesia Open from July 3 to 8, would now be part of HSBC BWF World Tour Super 1000.
The upcoming international badminton tournament, officially called BliBli 2018 Indonesia Open, would offer total prize of 1.25 million U.S. Dollars, the largest one any of Badminton World Federation (BWF)-sanctioned tournament so far, the organizer claimed.
Head of the tournament organizer Achmad Budiharto said that level of Indonesia Open tournament has been upgraded from BWF's Super Series tournament, would consequently change the system for players qualified to the final rounds.
"Starting from this year, there won't be no more qualification round since lowest level as players contending in the tournament were the best players with minimum seeding of 32. This new system would make the Indonesia Open tournament more exclusive and prestigious," Achmad told a press conference here on Monday.
With the upgraded tournament level, Indonesia Open would be part of badminton championship endorsed as part of HSBC BWF World Tour Super 1000, along with China Open and All-England, he said.
Head of Sports Development at Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) Susi Susanti said that the nation's badminton team has set target to earn one championship title in the upcoming 2018 Indonesia Open.
"That target was realistic. We would prepare our players to comply with the target," Susanti said.
