体坛英语新闻：East Kalimantan province to host Indonesia Open

JAKARTA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- East Kalimantan province will host its second 2011 Bank Kaltim Indonesia Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament at the end of this month, predicting a successful event like it was last year, local media reported on Friday.

Main sponsor Bank Kaltim, which is owned by the local government, has allocated 4 billion rupiah (about 455,840 US dollars) to run the event, which takes place on Sept. 27-Oct. 2 at Palaran Stadium in Samarinda.

"The funding is sourced from Bank Kaltim's promotional budget, so don't worry, it won't affect the regional budget," Bank Kaltim president director Apriansyah said in Samarinda, East Kalimantan capital city on Thursday.

About 16 countries and regions, including China, Denmark and Malaysia, will take part in the tournament, which features around 314 shuttlers including world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and No. 2 Lin Dan of China as well as Indonesian hero Taufik Hidayat in the men's singles.

"The number of participating shuttlers has increased compared to 224 last year. It is because France and India, which did not participate in 2010, will be joining us this year," Apriansyah was quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying.

Besides aiming for a sporting achievement, Apriansyah also hoped that the tournament would have a multiplier effect for the province, especially in Samarinda.

"By having these international guests in the city, we really hope that the tournament will boost hotel occupancy and increase restaurant and retail earnings," he added.

Apriansyah expected an even better tournament this year in the 45,000-seat capacity stadium.