Date:04/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/04/stories/2006080408192000.htm

Sport - Badminton

Sanave starts favourite

Principal Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sanave Thomas and Merit George start as favourites in the TKV memorial all-Kerala badminton tournament, which begins at the Sri Moolam Club here on Friday.

Sanave is the top-ranked player in the draw after defending champion K.A. Aneesh pulled out due to injury. Joy T. Antony, Jaison Xavier, former National champion George Thomas and Ayyappan Krishan are some of the leading players taking part in the event organised by SBT Staff RC.

Sanave, though missing his regular partner V. Diju, may prove to be more than a handful with Jaison Xavier in the men's doubles section. Ayyappan Krishnan-Tariq Mohammed combine and Joy T. Antony-George Thomas pair are the other prominent teams taking part in the doubles section.

In the women's section, defending champion Merit George can breathe easy in the absence of Aparna Balan. However, Merit may be pushed hard by sister Miral, M. Shruthi and Nima Lakshmi.