Bhubaneswar: To popularize the game of badminton in the state and groom budding talent for future tournaments, UDAAN (Ultimate Dynamic Ambitious Academy of Nation) under the aegis of Odisha State Badminton Association will be organising first-ever Odisha Badminton League from October 6 to 8 at Railway Indoor Stadium at Mancheswar here.
A player auction was held at a city-based hotel recently in which eight franchisee teams namely Lakshya Lancers, Bhubaneswar Fighters, G Group Guardians, Green Star Acers, GCZ Challengers, SN Blasters, Kalinga Kings and Utkal Warriors took part along with their respective team managers and captains.
“The main objective of organising OBL is to extend support to talented badminton players in the state caught in various socio-economic web,” said UDAAN organising secretary Sanjay Mohanty.
The auction ceremony was graced by veteran football coach Nanda Kishore Patnaik, former Indian women’s football team captain Sradhanjali Samantaray, national karate champion Valena Valentina, world para-badminton champion Pramod Bhagat, president of Odisha Badminton League Ashok Mishra and tournament referee Rita Dash.
