The 79th Senior National Badminton Championship will be held in three venues — Funtimes Club, Vijayawada Club and DRRMC Indoor Stadium — and the qualifying events for women will be held at Funtimes and boys at Vijayawada Club on January 29 and 30, according to Badminton Association of India secretary (events) K.Ch. Punnaiah Choudary here on Tuesday.
He said nine courts were laid at the venues and as many as 35 States will take part in the team championships.
“Sikkim and Mizoram are not taking part. We will have a new-look DRRMC Indoor Stadium for the event. We have not taken up the air conditioning for want of time,” he added.
He said the State government had sanctioned Rs. 1.5 crore for the renovation of the stadium. Priority was given to flooring, toilets and lighting.
Organising Secretary Ankamma Choudary said that the event was allotted to the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSCB).
“As PSCB expressed its inability to stage the event owing to the change in the government at the Centre, the BAI allotted to Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association,” he pointed out.
He said Vijayawada had hosted several national events like junior, mini and also SAARC championship. “City Mayor Koneru Sridhar, City East MLA Gadde Ram Mohan and Municipal Commissioner G. Veerapandian will grace the inaugural function as chief guests on January 29 at Funtimes Club”.
He said Air Costa, the regional airliner, was the title sponsor. Andhra Cricket Association and LEPL are the co-sponsors.
Nine courts are laid at the venues and as many as 35 States will take part in the team championships.
K.Ch. Punnaiah Choudary
Secretary (events),Badminton Association of India
