Date:15/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/15/stories/2008031561672600.htm

Sport - Badminton

Top players for India Open

NEW DELHI: Some of the world’s top badminton players will be seen in action at the $1,20,000 India Open to be held in Hyderabad in April. The event was originally scheduled to have been held in September last year. The India Open will feature 230 players from 27 countries, including 36 Indians. The draw includes the Chinese trio of Bao Chunlai (World No. 3), 2008 All-England champion Chen Jin (World No. 4) and Chen Yu (World No. 9).

The top three women are Xie Xingfang (World No. 1), Zhang Ning (World No. 2) and Lu Lan (World No. 3). The Grand Prix championship will attract three of the top 10 men players and six of the top 10 women.

“It will be an annual event from this year and would be staged at various venues in the country,” the Badminton Association of India president V.K. Verma said here on Friday.

“With this tournament, we have joined the big league since almost all the top badminton-playing countries have a tournament named after them,” Mr. Verma said.

The draw will be held on March 19 in Hyderabad. A camp would be held for the Indian players in Hyderabad from March 25. — Special Correspondent