Off the wire
• 2nd LD: S. Korea reiterates denuclearization call in response to DPRK's dialogue offer  • Forest related climate mitigation bearing fruit: UNEP  • 1st LD Writethru: S. African President Zuma challenges ruling over his corruption charges  • Madhes-based parties boycott crucial all-party meeting called by PM  • Rice-smuggling ring broken up in southwest China  • Zidane: Champions League final to be 50-50  • Ayestaran confirmed to continue coaching Valencia  • 1st LD Writethru: DPRK proposes again to South Korea holding military talks  • Huawei partners with UAE's Etisalat for high speed broadband service  • Feature: Kenyan scholar lauds China's support towards advancement of arts, culture  
You are here: 　 Home

Indonesian shuttlers target Olympic golds in Rio

Xinhua, May 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Failing to win Thomas Cup in China in May, Indonesian shuttlers are eyeing the Olympic gold medals in Rio in August.

"Now, the hope lies in the Olympics, and our players will be able to revive the tradition of getting gold medals," Gatot S. Dewa Broto, the spokesman of Indonesian Youth and Sport Ministry, said at his office on Tuesday evening.

"Although we did not win and bring home the trophy (of Thomas Cup), we are proud of our players who have given their best performance," Gatot stressed.

"The government puts a target of gold medals at the shoulders of our players," the spokesman said.

Head of Indonesian Badminton Association Gita Wirjawan said that the preparation for the Olympics has been conducted well, and the recent Thomas and Uber Cup tournament in China was part of the warmup.

"The preparation for (the Olympic in) Rio de Jeneiro has been done for a long time. Our focus is now the Olympics," he said.

"The result of the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup convinces me that other teams have started evaluating our strength, particularly the capability of young players," Wirjawan added. Enditem