Indonesian Double mix, Tontowi Ahmad / Liliyana Natsir finally managed to end the 'curse' of Istora, after seven times failed to become champion in Indonesia Open held in Istora, this time they finally became champion in Blibli Indonesia Open 2018 HSBC BWF World Tour Super 1000. Tontowi / Liliyana after defeating Chan Peng Soon / Goh Liu Ying (Malaysia), with the score 21-17, 21-8.
 
This victory at once makes Tontowi / Liliyana successfully defended the title they won last year when the tournament was held at JCC Senayan. Tontowi / Liliyana will also re-rule the top of the mixed doubles rankings.
 
"Finally, after a long time in Istora we can win, I was tense first because there were a lot of spectators, but in my heart there is confidence to win, because we can apply our game pattern," said Tontowi.
 
"Actually I am happy at the same time sad because this possibility last time I compete in Indonesia Open We are glad to be able to give title, Istora mythology haunted for Owi / Butet have no need to be discussed again, paid in full," said Liliyana.
 
"The meaning is great for us, honestly even though I say do not want to think, but still think I can not win in Istora?" he added.
 
Liliyana revealed that although they are ahead 9-1 in the meeting record, but they do not want to be careless and keep preparing themselves by studying the opposing game video.
 
"They must be disturbed by the crowd of supporters, especially I read Goh's statement about fighting a stadium, maybe he's also shaking against that much supporter," said Liliyana.
 
Meanwhile, Chan / Goh wishes they had another chance to meet Liliyana before he retires. Chan / Goh hopes to win the game and improve their meeting record to 2-10.
 
"I was having trouble talking to Chan, the crowds put a lot of pressure on us, we did not play well, we were not satisfied with our performance, and the short and long service they combined made us confused," Goh said.
 
"Actually we want to try to play one hundred percent but we have already lost, but the opponent is heavier, after the Olympics, Tontowi / Liliyana still look consistent while we are still unstable," Chan added.
 
Indonesia again added the title in Blibli Indonesia Open 2018 through the victory of men's doubles pair Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo / Marcus Fernaldi Gideon. ( Badminton Indonesia twitter ) 

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon emerged as champion of the men`s doubles event of Indonesia Badminton Open here on Sunday.

The first-ranked pair came out as the champion after defeating Japanese pair Yuki Kaneko/takiti Inoue 21-13,21-16 in the final round and ran away with a total cash prize worth US$1.26 million.

This was the first champion title won by Kevn/Marcus at Indonesia Open ending a four-year absence of champion title from the men`s double event since 2013 after Hendra Setiawan/Mohammaf Ahsan`s.

The victory was the fourth against the Japanese pair after the last meet at Japan Open in 2017. (antara)

United States Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph Donovan in Jakarta on Wednesday stated that the 4 of July celebration also aimed to celebrate relationship between the United States and Indonesia. According to him, cooperation between the two countries was built on the basis of basic values, tolerance, mutual respect, and upholding the rights of its citizens. Joseph said that, the United States also expected an increase in relations with Indonesia, especially in marking the 70 years of bilateral relation of the two countries in 2019.

"I hope the United States and Indonesia will be cooperating on our 70th year of anniversary. And I think the great way to begin that cooperation and that celebration is when we moving to our Embassy building later on this year," said Joseph Donovan .

Meanwhile the Indonesian Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan stated that both countries should be able to increase cooperation in the maritime and environment sector. He believed that both Indonesia and the United States has plenty of rooms to enhance cooperation in that sector, for instance related to plastic and marine debris. (KBRN/Retno/Trans/Ndy/AHM)

President Joko Widodo pointed to uncertainty in the current global economy conditions, thereby making it difficult to predict and compute.

"I think all regents here also sense the uncertainty in the global economy that is really difficult to compute," Widodo remarked at the Presidential Palace of Bogor on Thursday.

Widodo, who was accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, stated that the government should deliver information related to economic growth.

"In terms of economic growth, we have to highlight the fact that the current global economy situation is still in a precarious position," he added.

However, the head of state believes Indonesia should be grateful, as economic growth is still reaching some five percent.

"We should be grateful that our economy can still grow five percent. I think we should be grateful," he remarked.

Other countries and also developed nations have experienced a drastic fall in economic growth.

"For instance, China's economic growth fell from 11 or 10 percent to 6.5 percent," he pointed out.

The head of state noted that the condition is a burden on the country.

"However, we want our economic growth to be good, so that our economic fundamentals and foundations become strong, whatever will be," he conveyed. (ANTARA)