Indonesia is hoping to win a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the badminton mixed doubles.

 

Indonesia's doubles world champions Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir have collected 70,574 points this season and are now ranked second in the world while teammates Flandy Limpele and Vita Marissa are in the fourth place on 63,109 points.

 

"So far, the two pairs have the biggest chance at the Olympic event," Lius Pongoh, head coach of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), was quoted Thursday by local newspaper The Jakarta Post as saying.

 

During 2007, Nova and Lilyana won three titles -- the Philippines Open, the World Championships and the China Open Super Series.

 

Flandy and Vita also belted three titles under their names -- the Aviva Open Singapore Super Series, the Yonex Chinese Taipei Grand Prix Gold and the French Super Series.

 

"It has been a tradition for Indonesia to win gold medals at the Olympics and we aim to continue the tradition. We hope to grab at least one gold," he said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2007)