International Challenge Badminton Championship

Shuttlers arrive in the city:

Guwahati, Nov 30: Altogether 41 players arrive here on Friday to take part in the India International Challenge Badminton Championship which will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium at Amingaon from Sunday.

Apart from India other countries that will take part in the meet are Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nepal, Italy, Austria, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Players from almost all the participating countries have arrived today while Sri Lanka team is scheduled to be arrived tomorrow.

Pakistan has sent maximum number of 14 players while Indonesia and Malaysia have five-member teams. Austria, Italy and Japan have two members each while Bangladesh has a six-member squad.

Only five players of the Indian team have arrived today while the majority of the players are scheduled to reach here tomorrow.

Afghanistan has withdrawn from the championship due to some visa problem.

All the players have been given accommodation at hotels situated at the Guwahati-Shillong road in the city.

This afternoon all the players have workout sessions at the competition venue.

Oil India Limited (OIL) has agreed to be the title sponsor of the championship which will be the maiden international event organised by the Assam Badminton Association.

Source: The Sentinel; The Assam Tribune

International badminton tournament in Guwahati

Shuttlers to reach city from Friday for India Challenge Badminton:

Guwahati, Nov 28: The first batch of the shuttlers taking part in the India Challenge Badminton Tournament which will get under way at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor stadium from December 2 will arrive in the city on Friday.

Around 100 participants are expected to take part in the meet.

It is for the first time that the Assam Badminton Association is hosting any international meet and the preparation is going on full swing.

Altogether four courts would be used during the tournament and the laying of courts is in the final stage.

Players, particularly those representing India from Asom, would start their practice sessions in the stadium from tomorrow.

Apart from host India, the other countries that will take part in the championship include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal and a few others.

Among the top Indian players who are likely to be seen in action in the meet include the top-ranked Chetan Anand and Saina Nahwal. However, the organisers are yet to get the confirmation from Saina as she is playing another tournament abroad (Lost in the first round in Hong Kong Super Series on Wednesday -- my addition).

Source: The Sentinel