Sport - Badminton

Sumeeth is the top seed

BANGALORE: Sumeeth Reddy of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra’s Anuradha Shrikhande have been given the top seedings in the Union Bank of India’s seventh all-India junior ranking badminton tournament that starts at the K. Raheja Stadium, Karnataka Badminton Association, here from Sunday.

While over 504 qualifying matches will be played on the morrow, the tournament proper will commence from June 9 and the finals are scheduled for June 12.

This edition of the event has attracted over 1,200 entries from nearly 24 States in 12 events — under-13, 16 and 19 for boys and girls in both singles and doubles categories. “This is an overwhelming numbers and with Rs. 2 lakh prize money at stake, the cream of talents has assembled here,” T.C.S. Rao, Chief Referee for the championship, said.

While the boys’ u-19 singles has attracted 201 entries, the u-16 boys’ section has received 239 entries. The girls’ u-19 category too has an impressive turn-out with 82 vying for honours. “The performance in this championship will be considered for selection to the Indian team for the junior World Championships later this year,” Prakash Padukone said. — Special Correspondent

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