Bhubaneswar To Host Sub-Junior National Badminton Meet

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is going host the 33rd Sub-Junior National Badminton Championships for U-15 and U-17 boys and girls in the state capital from December 17 to 22.

Organised by the Odisha State Badminton Association (OSBA), over 600 budding shuttlers from 33 states and Union Territories will be vying for the top honours in the national championships to be played at East Coast Railway Indoor Stadium and Saheed Nagar Indoor Hall here.

Speaking on the forthcoming national championship, OSBA president Rohit Pujari said, “Our progressive Chief Minister has taken a massive initiative to make Odisha the front-runner in the field of sports. OSBA is trying to make its level-best contribution for the implementation of our CM’s vision and plans.”

“We are hosting the Sub-Junior Nationals for the first time in Odisha with the support of the Department of Sports & Youth Services, government of Odisha. We are working diligently to make the championship memorable and further boost the image of our state,” he added.

The championship carries total prize money of Rs 10 lakh. The players reaching the quarterfinals will be eligible for prize money.

The title winners in U-17 singles will receive Rs 44,000 each, while doubles and mixed doubles champions will be given Rs 46,000 each. In U-15 age group, singles title winners will get Rs 42,000 each and doubles and mixed doubles champions Rs 44,000.

According to the OSBA president, the state government aims to make Bhubaneswar a badminton hub. “Setting up of Gopichand Academy and eight new courts are also part of a long-term plan to make Odisha a formidable force in the badminton map of the country. We also aim to organise international tournaments in future,” Pujari said.