Date:11/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/11/stories/2008071156481800.htm

Sport - Badminton

Pune to host World junior badminton

HYDERABAD: NEB Sports, in association with the Badminton Association of India, will host the World junior badminton championship in Pune from October 24 to November 2 this year, according to Pullela Gopi Chand, India’s chief national coach and former All England champion.

The championship will feature a team event followed by individual competitions.

Gopi Chand feels that national champion Saina Nehawal, who happens to be the only woman shuttler to have qualified for the Beijing Games, is the favourite to win the title in this edition.

Saina was felicitated at a simple function by NEB Sports here.

In a welcome gesture, S. Nagaraj, Chairman & MD, NEB Sports, announced a cash incentive of Rs. 1 lakh to men’s national champion Chetan Anand for reaching the final of the recently-held India Open Grand Prix championship.

He said cash incentives would also be given to Saina Nehawal, J.B.S. Vidhyadhar and P. Kashyap. — Principal Correspondent