New Delhi: The Indian Badminton League announced today that it has asked IBL franchisee Awadhe Warriors to find a replacement for Thai shuttler Maneepong Jongjit, owing to disciplinary action taken recently against the player by his national association and an ongoing investigation by the Badminton World Federation. The Thai doubles specialist who is currently ranked world no. 13 in men’s doubles, has been imposed a three-month international ban by the Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) for provocation and misconduct with a fellow player, former doubles partner Bodin Issara, during the recent Canada Open.
The IBL Governing Council discussed the matter in a telephonic meeting today and took an unanimous decision to respect the views of the BAT. Accordingly, the IBL has asked Awadhe Warriors to seek a foreign replacement for Jongjit in their remaining budget and get back to the organisers in the next 48 hours.
Commenting on this issue, Badminton Association of India President & MP Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta said, “The Badminton Association of Thailand has taken disciplinary action against the concerned player and we need to respect their decision in this case. Therefore, the concerned player’s participation in the inaugural edition of IBL cannot be accepted and we have advised our respectable franchisee Awadhe Warriors to pick up a foreign player of their own choice from the auction reserve list.”
The $1-million Indian Badminton League is set to launch on August 14, 2013, with some high-voltage action expected between Krrish 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 final on August 31, which will be played out in Mumbai.
