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More than 110 players from 13 countries are expected to battle for prize money totalling $15,000 in the biggest badminton tournament ever staged on the island.
The Indian Club Centenary Cup Li-Ning Bahrain International Challenge 2014 will be held from November 4 to 8 at the club’s premises in Gudaibiya.
The event is among a string of sporting initiatives being held as part of the club’s ‘100 Days Centenary Celebration Programme’ which has so far featured cricket, snooker and soccer.
With big prize money and precious ranking points at stake, a number of players in badminton’s Top 50 list are in the fray and a celebrity guest is expected to grace the final too.
The event has been sanctioned by the World Badminton Federation and Badminton Asia Confederation and it is being held in association with Bahrain Badminton and Squash Federation (BBSF) with competition in five categories – men’s and women’s singles and doubles and mixed doubles.
Top players from Europe, South East Asia, the Gulf region and the Indian sub-continent are expected to participate, with the main attractions being India’s RM Gurasaidutt, ranked 44th in the world, and Anand Pawar, ranked 46th, in the men’s and PC Thulasi, ranked 41st, and Arundhati Pantawane, ranked 52nd, in the women’s singles.
Other big names include Russian women’s doubles pair of Anastasiia Cherviakova and Nina Vislova; as well as mixed doubles pair of Alwin Francis and Aparna Balan from India, along with Vitalii Durkin and Nina Vislov, Anatolii Iartsev and Evgeniya Kosetskaya, both pairs from Russia.
Indian Club president Anand Lobo said: “We are immensely proud to host and organise such a high-profile, international sporting event as The Indian Club Centenary Li-Ning Bahrain International Challenge 2014; in particular as part of the club’s centenary programe that celebrates a very unique year in our history – this makes it very special for the club and all its members.
“I am also thrilled that Ashwini Ponappa will be our guest of honour. She is one of badminton’s top players and a true credit to her country and her sport; we are looking forward to her attendance on the final day and participation in the awards and closing ceremonies.”
Lobo continued: “The total prize is $10,000 more than what was on offer at the same event last year. I am delighted to see the world class entry list – it should make for a great tournament.”
The presence of Ponnappa will be the proverbial icing on the cake on the final day on November 8. Arjuna Award winner Ponnappa is a world class doubles player and has won top honours with her partner Jwala Gutta, including Commonwealth Games’ Gold and World Championship Bronze medals.
BBSF secretary-general Hisham Alabbasi said: “The staging of such a high quality tournament with so many top class players is a great stimulus for the continued development and stature of badminton in Bahrain and the federation is happy to support the efforts of the Indian Club in organising such a large-scale event.”
Of the 112 players taking part, the biggest contingent is from Indonesia with 35, followed by 23 from India and 19 from Bahrain. Then there are nine from The Philippines, seven from Russia, six from Pakistan, five from Singapore, two each from Sri Lanka and Belgium, and one each from Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark and Grece.
Chinese Taipei’s Ryan Tsai has been appointed referee for the tournament and Bahrain’s own Ashley George is the deputy referee.
Leading Chinese sports brand company Li-Ning is the title sponsor of the event.
For more information contact Ashok Kumar on 39867016.
