"We are anxious (to win it) because we have never done it," Hendra said when attending the signing of a cooperation agreement between PT Adaro Energy Tbk. and PT Flypower here on Saturday to support the pair in their fight in the international tournament.
All England is the only big individual badminton tournament that the two have never won, after recording a victory in the Southeast Asia Games, Asian Games, the World Championship and the Olympics.
Regarding the injury on his knee he sustained after they won a gold medal in the Asian Games in November Hendra said that it was already improving.
"It is not a problem anymore. I have been able to play normally," he said.
Markis Kido shared the desire to win the All England champion who along with Hendra achieved a semi-final round last year.
"We have never won a title there and of course we wish we could become a champion," he said.
Their coach, Sigit Pamungkas, said the chance for the two was big if they could surpass the quarterfinals well.
In the quarterfinals at the Super Series Premier tournament Kido and Hendra would likely meet their long time opponents Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong of Malaysia.
"However they also need to be careful against young pairs from Korea, Japan and China," Sigit who would accompany them said.
Regarding their preparations he said that it was quite good. "Their participation in the China League even served as evaluation materials for me to see if their performance was good enough especially Hendra`s who has had a knee injury," he said.
"It seems they are fine and have even been able to beat the Chinese pair that won the Malaysia Super Series (Chai Biao) and Xu
Chen. We can consider them as their sparring partners," he said.
Hendra and Kido would leave for Birmingham on Sunday to participate in the All England from March 8 to 13.(*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
