Cuttack: The stage is set for the Odisha Open Super 100, the first ever International badminton tournament of Badminton World Federation to be held in Odisha, will take off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here from January 25.
About 350 players from 17 countries are participating in the tournament which will be played in four courts of the stadium. Warming up for their matches, the players had their practice sessions on Monday.
Badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, who arrived in the city for the tournament, interacted with the players practising and encouraged them to put in their best.
No spectators will be allowed to enter into the stadium as the tournament will be played as per COVID guidelines.
Meanwhile, COVID tests of all players, technical officials and volunteers have been conducted after their arrival at Bhubaneswar and only those found negative will be allowed to enter stadium premises, stated the organisers.
The tournament is being organised by Badminton Association of India and Odisha State Badminton Association with the joint efforts of Odisha Sports and Youth Service Department.
Odisha Open Super 100 will be another major achievement for the state which has earned a name globally for organising international sports event successfully.
Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera said “It is a matter of pride for our state to host such a prestigious sports event.”
“I hope each members of the organising team will exhibit their same zeal and enthusiasm, which they had shown during hosting of other international sports events in the state, for making this tournament a grand success,” he added.
The matches would be played in five categories, men’s singles, women’s single, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
“About 350 players from 17 countries are competing in five events in this tournament, in which US $75,000 is the cash prize to be be given to the winners,” said Girish Natu, Deputy Chief Referee of this tournament.
“I am glad that organisers have made excellent arrangements to make this international badminton tournament a grand success and I am sure many more such tournaments will come to Odisha in future,” Natu added.
Nileen Kumar, Secretary of Odisha State Badminton Association and Organising Secretary of Odisha Open Super 100, said the tournament will be another landmark in Odisha’s glorious sports journey. I am extremely thankful to the department of sports and youth services, for extending all support to make this tournament a grand success.”
