Krrish Group bags IBL's Delhi franchise

Lee Chong Wei: Delhi Smashers’s coach Rashid Sidek was instrumental in his success

New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) Gurgaon-based business conglomerate Krrish Group has bought the Delhi franchise of the $1 million Indian Badminton League (IBL) on Monday.

It was also announced that former World No.1 and legendary Malaysian shuttler Rashid Sidek will coach the Delhi Smashers.

Speaking on the association, Krrish Group owner Amit Katyal said, “We are very excited and proud to have bid and won the franchise for the Delhi team. With badminton being one of the most popular sports in the country, we had no inhibition to bid for a franchise in the IBL and we consider ourselves lucky that we got the team we were targeting.”

Krrish Group is a firm dealing in businesses in various sectors like distillery, breweries, construction and real estate.

Also speaking on the occasion was Badminton Association of India (BAI) president Akhilesh Das Gupta, who said, “Delhi is an important centre for badminton and with excellent world class infrastructure and facilities, helps in grooming talent. Krrish Group owning the Delhi Smashers will certainly help the young talent and the game in Delhi in the future.”

Speaking on his appointment, Sidek said, “This is a historic moment for badminton. It will be a great challenge to bind players from different nationalities and background and I’m looking forward to the IBL.”

Sidek won the Thomas Cup, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bronze and two Commonwealth Games gold medals during his career. After retiring, Sidek was instrumental in motivating and coaching the new generation of Malaysian players, including current World No.1 Lee Chong Wei.