Date:09/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/09/stories/2007060905971700.htm

Sport - Badminton

Padukone for strong domestic calendar

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: Prakash Padukone, India's first All-England badminton men's singles champion, said a strong domestic calendar is the bottom-line to maintain a constant supply of young talented players in the country.

"Home international events complement the domestic structure and bolster competition for the young players who get an opportunity to watch, play and learn," said the legend at the launch of the $ 1,50,000 Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2007 to be held at Hyderabad from September 4 to 9.

Padukone and India's other All-England champion, and current National coach, P. Gopi Chand unveiled the logo of the event here on Thursday night. The mascot `The Rising Tiger' was also exhibited for the media.

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) President, V.K. Verma, said the Grand Prix Gold Level 3 series would be the first step in the long journey to bring top class badminton events to India.

"We are looking at a bigger prize money event for 2008, a World Series event in Mumbai once the state-of-the-art multi-sports facility is ready at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI). Of course New Delhi will host the World Championship in 2009," said Mr. Verma.