The Indonesia Open badminton championship will be staged at the Bung Karno Tennis Indoor Stadium here from Dec. 15 to Dec. 19 with defending champion Taufik Hidayat expecting a tough challenge from opponents.

Indonesian champion Taufik Hidayat, whose 2003 championship wassealed in style by defeating a number of China's top players en route to his title, said that it would be a mounting task to accomplish when he goes on court to defend his title.

"It's more difficult to retain a title than wresting it from a champion, especially in a tournament before home supporters who have high expectations. But I will try to do my best," he was quoted Friday by The Jakarta Post newspaper as saying.

China dominated last year's tournament in Batam by winning three of five titles -- women's singles, women's doubles and men'sdoubles.

Indonesia and South Korea took one each, the men's singles and mixed doubles, respectively.

The organizing committee expects that giant countries such as South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Denmark will soon confirm participation in the 170,000 US dollars tournament.

China is the first foreign team to have registered.

The Indonesia Open, which had been rescheduled from June to allow more time for the Thomas Cup arrangement in May, will be theseason-closing tournament after China Open and Singapore Open, late November.

Icuk Sugiarto, a chief with the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) in charge of development affairs, said that allIndonesian shuttlers at the training center would play in the event.

"This is a good opportunity for our shuttlers to participate inan international event at home. The shuttlers in good condition will take part in this tournament," Icuk said.

By People's Daily Online