Cream of Indian talent to participate in Badminton tourney

Chennai, May 26 (UNI) The cream of the Indian junior talent, sans numero uno Saina Nehwal, will be seen in action in the Rs two lakh prize money 17th Krishna Khaitan Memorial All India Junior Badminton tournament from May 28 to 31 here.

Briefing reporters here last night, Organising Secretary Sanjiv Sachdeva and Badminton Association of India Joint Secretary Punnaiah Choudary said a record number of 1300 entries have been received for the tournament, which would be a selection trials for picking the Indian team for the Asian Juniors to be held at Kuala Lumpur in July.

Events would be held for singles and doubles in boys and girls under-19, under-16, under-13, besides mixed doubles and boys and girls singles under-10.

The notable absentee was Saina Nehwal as she was busy preparing in Scotland for the Sudhirman Cup.

The tournament, prize money of which was increased from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs two lakhs, would be sponsored by Cadbury India and the Express Shuttle Club Trust.

Prominent players, who would be seen in action in boy's under-19 included top seed Arun Nandaluri and Aditya Elango (both Air India), Guru Sai Dutt (AP) and Saurabh Varma (MP).

Maharashtra's Arundati Pantawane, who was given the top billing in the Girls under-19 singles, start as favourites along with Monisha Vinayak (karnatak), Muddra Dhainje (Maharashtra) and J Shruti (Andhra Pradesh).

Mr Sanjiv said the Indian team for the Asian Junior championship would be selected at the selection committee meeting at Kochi to be held during the junior ranking tournament from June one to six.

UNI