New Delhi: In a statement, the world No.1 player Lee Chong Wei said he is very excited to be part of the Players Auction for the $1-million Indian Badminton League, commencing from August 14-31, 2013.
The IBL Auction will be held in New Delhi on July 22, 2013, with London-based auctioneer Bob Hayton set to conduct the bidding amongst the six franchises.
LCW, as he is popularly known, said, “Any step being taken to promote and popularize badminton is highly commendable. Indian badminton has produced some legendary players for the sport and it’s a great moment for all of us that India is taking a major step forward by conducting the Indian Badminton League.”
The two-time Olympic silver medalist said he is looking forward to playing with different nationalities and interacting with fans in different cities in India during the IBL. “It will be exciting to play in different cities in India. I have been travelling a lot to New Delhi but this will be a new experience and I hope to have a great time teaming up with players from different countries.”
LCW also applauded the IBL for organizing the first-ever auction for badminton players. “It is a new concept and will thrill the fans no doubt. I hope the team owners will also make some good choices.”
The $1-million Indian Badminton League is set to launch on August 14, 2013, with some high-voltage action expected between Delhi Smashers and Pune Pistons. The 2013 IBL will feature six franchises and will run for 18 days. Each franchise will host a two-day leg and the League will showcase a grand total of 90 matches, providing broadcasters and in-stadia spectators with more than 100 hours of LIVE “family entertainment” which will also be viewed by a significant international audience. The matches will be held during late afternoon and evening to coincide with prime time television and providing a convenient time for the stadium audience. The LIVE IN-stadia entertainment, combined with high-octane on-court action is expected to further hook viewers onto this new adrenalin packed LIVE family entertainment format attracting a much younger fan base, which also includes women and children.
The top four franchises in the League will clash in the semifinals and the winners will meet in the grand final on August 31, which will be played out in Mumbai, for the richest prize money tournament in badminton till now.
The IBL is also running the biggest school championship for badminton in India – Shuttle Express. The IBL School Programme is expected to touch five lakh children in more than 120 schools in six major cities, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow Pune and Bangalore. The Shuttle Express offers Rs 10 lakh as prize money and an opportunity to train at the world-class Pullela Gopichand Academy to the young talent.
