The Tata Group has extended sponsorship to the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) till July 2013. The Indian badminton legend has been running the academy at the state-of-the-art badminton facility at the Saklatwala Pavilion, Cricket Club of India since 2006.
“I am happy the Tata group has extended support to the PPBA for another three years. Hopefully the academy will be able to provide Indian badminton with world class players.
“After an initial support for nine months, the Tata Group sponsored the academy from 2007 to 2010 and now this has been extended from August 2010 to July 2013,” said Padukone, Director, PPBA at a press conference to announce the $15,000 Tata Open India International Badminton Challenge 2010 to be held at the CCI from December 21 to 25.
The international challenge is like a satellite event that ranks after the Super Series and Grand Prix events.
“The international challenge helps budding players earn small points. We have invited promising players from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Russia, Nepal and Bangladesh. Indians too will be in the draw, but not the seniors.
“In fact, the majority of the top Indian men players will not be in the draw,” said Padukone.
Super Series event
Prakash said he was keen on bringing a Super Series event to the city.
“My aim is to make the international challenge an annual affair. Mumbai has the infrastructure and it's my dream to bring a Super Series event also here.”
Atul Agrawal, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Tata Sons, and Amar Sinhji, Head HR, Tata Capital Ltd., said his company was happy to be part of the PPBA and at being able to sponsor the international challenge.
