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Top GCC, India, Iran shuttlers for UAE Open
Indian internationals and nationally ranked players along with Iranian Thommas Cuppers make up the Super League where the top 2 qualifiers from the local-Gulf phase will keep them company, in the 35th edition of India Club-Western Union UAE Open Badminton Tournament.
Dr Ram Buxani; MK Lokesh, Dr Omar Al Muthanna; Sunil Singh; and Srinivias Akella at the opening ceremony. — KT photo by Juidin Bernarrd.
To be played at the 4-court parquet facility at the India Club from May 14-June 8, the top badminton championship in the country will see top flight action in the Super League from June 5-8 in the men’s singles and doubles.
India Club is flying in players from the internationally rated Gopi Chand Academy in Hyderbad. The Indians arriving are powerhouse Andhra Pradesh’s K. Nandagopal (ranked 5 in India), Sumeeth Reddy (6), Ajay Kumar (18) and Vikas Harsha (35).
Iran has been consistent with their entries for the event for the past many years and this year Shahhosseni Ali and Karimi Mohammadali, both familiar to the courts and conditions here, will take part.
Yogendran Krishnan and Yeoh Kay Bin from Malaysia were scheduled to play here as per an earlier announcement but organisers said they are at the moment tied up with commitments back home.
Last year, then and current India No.2, Sai Praneeth — Nandagopal’s doubles partner — won the title in the presence of over 600 spectators with a 21-13, 9-21, 21-12 over Indonesia’s Indra Bagus in the men’s singles final.
Praneeth then walked away with a cash prize of $1,000, a Jet Airways return ticket and gift hampers. However, Bagus got his revenge in the men’s doubles final last year when he and Heri Setiawan downed Praneeth and Nandagopal 21-14, 21-17.
MK Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to the UAE; Dr Omar Muthanna, CEO, Community Development Authority; Dr Ram Buxani, chairman, India Club; Sunil Singh, convenor-Sports Section, India Club were present for the inauguration on Monday night, a media release said.
Also present at the inauguration ceremony was Srinivas Avella, marketing manager-Middle East to India, Western Union Money Transfer; and other officials.
Nearly 462 participants will take part in the Men’s, Ladies, Boys and Girls, and Veterans categories apart from the Super League.
All the matches will be played in the 21-point format in line with rules and regulations of the World Badminton Federation.
As a part of the Club’s drive towards corporate social responsibility, India Club will conduct matches under a separate pool for the Special Needs Students of the SNF Development Center and Dubai Autism Center.
As per the ‘Honour Labour’ initiative by CDA, there will be a separate pool for workers in the men’s singles category. These matches will be played on Friday, June 1 10am and noon time. Dulsco have confirmed their participation in this category.
Each player will be restricted to participate in three events. This is basically to give opportunity for more players to make it to the top rather than a select few taking the top positions, he organisers said.
Dr Buxani said: “It is a memorable event for the institution and all of you having come to share in our joy in this great moment is gratifying. We are happy the India Club has played it’s pivotal role in promoting various sports in the country and fact that today (Monday) we are gathered to launch the 35th Annual UAE Open Badminton Tournament is testimony to our dedication.”
Lokesh said badminton originated in Pune, India as a recreational activity for the British officers during their rule.
He said that India has produced some top badminton players like Prakash Padukone, Pullela Gopichand and Saina Nehwal. Dr Al Muttanna said he was proud of India Club’s achievements and commended that India Club always got it right in all it’s activities.
Special Needs Children from Special Needs Future (SNF) Development Center, Dubai presented floral bouquets to the chief guest and other dignitaries during the opening ceremony.
Cash prizes, trophies and gift hampers amounting to more than Dh50,000 will be presented.
To encourage the local talent, this year, the tournament has been planned in two phases – the first phase is the UAE Open for players from UAE/GCC and other countries, and the next phase — the Super League.
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