'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Saina Nehwal, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa – these are the very popular names in the Indian Badminton circuit. They have achieved this status by virtue of their hard work and tremendous commitment. However, P V Sindhu and Parupalli Kashyap are comparatively new entrants who emerged on the scene lately.
Both of these young players have proved very successful in generating interest of the general public towards the game of badminton. They have been drawing attention of the enthusiastic young crowd of Delhi, as well as millions of other fans nationwide – who watched the Indian Open on TV.
Meeting the expectations of millions of fans, Sindhu and Kashyap have already won a championship each. The decision of the organizers to arrange live coverage of the event proved to be a milestone in the path of popularising badminton throughout the country.
Indian Badminton League, according to media reports, is going to be held from 14th August 2013 to 31st August 2013 in 6 different cities of India. 50 top players of the world are expected to take part in the IBL.
Auction for the six teams, namely Delhi Smashers (Krrish group), Mumbai Masters (Gavaskar-Nagarjuna consortium), Banga Beaters (B.O.P group), Hyderabad Hotshots (P.V.P ventures), Pune Vijetas (Burman family) and Lucknow Warriors (Sahara India Pariwar) will be held on 22nd July 2013.
According to sources, there will be ten players in each team, and one player under the age of 19 can also be included in the team for imparting exposure. Lee Chong Wei and other top seeded players from China, Japan and Korea are expected to take part.
Some people have shown concerns over the success of the event. However, Saina Nehwal, the ace shuttler, has opined that in the beginning it is obvious that a few difficulties will be there.
In this cricket mad country, even Ranji trophy matches witness limited spectators, despite the fact that renowned players are present. So the questions being raised on IBL don’t come as a surprise.
However, I am an optimist. Players like P V Sindhu and Kashyap have successfully drawn scores of enthusiastic spectators during Indian Open in April 2013. We wish a grand success for the event with the hope that a substantial number of foreigner players will turn up to give a sharp edge to the IBL.
The way badminton is gaining popularity, it is evident that this sport is emerging fast across the globe. India is also becoming a hub for the game and competing well with dominant nations such as Thailand and Indonesia.
The success of the Indian Badminton League is only going to fuel the growth of the sport in the country.
