BAI names full-strength squad; Sindhu, Saina to compete for first time since virus break
PTI, Dec 21, 2020, 2:19 PM IST
New Delhi: India”s top shuttlers PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will be seen in action for the first time since the coronavirus-forced break when they compete in three upcoming tournaments in Bangkok, including the prestigious BWF World Tour Finals.
With Olympic qualifications in mind, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Monday announced a strong eight-member squad to participate in the three upcoming tournaments, scheduled in January.
The team, consisting of Olympic-bound shuttlers Sindhu, Saina, B Sai Praneeth, Kidambi Srikanth, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Ashwini Ponappa and N Sikki Reddy, will begin their campaign with Yonex Thailand Open from January 12-17.
That will be followed by Toyota Thailand Open (January 19-24) and the prestigious HSBC BWF World Tour Finals which is rescheduled for January 27-31.
After the coronavirus outbreak in March disrupted the sporting world resulting in cancellation or postponement of a number of tournaments, this will be the first time that top Indian players, apart from Srikanth, will feature in any international tournament.
The former World No. 1, Srikanth had made a comeback when he played the Denmark Open in October.
“We are very happy to see badminton finally getting back on the court. It gives us hope that tournaments can eventually make a steady comeback in near future. Most of our players haven”t played tournaments in the last 7-8 months,” BAI general secretary Ajay Singhania said.
“However, they have been training to the best of their abilities at the camp. The purpose of sending a full-strength team in these tournaments so that players can get the much-needed tournament practice ahead of the Olympic qualifiers,” he added.
The team will also be accompanied by singles foreign coaches Agus Dwi Santoso and Park Tae Sang and doubles coach Dwi Kristiawan alongside support staff consisting of Kiran Challagundla, Johnson, Evangelina Baddam and M Srikanth.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
On a roll, RCB fancy their chances against Royals in Qualifier 2
We were trying to hit fours and sixes but they bowled really well: KL Rahul
Magnificent hundred from Patidar takes RCB to closer to IPL final
Kohli, Rohit, Ashwin maintain their top-10 positions in ICC Test rankings
Chessable Masters: Indian GM Praggnanandhaa shocks Anish Giri, meets Ding Liren in final
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
LS secretariat asks estates officer to initiate eviction proceedings against ex-AAP MP Mann
Karnataka Secretariat employees to boycott work on Friday, govt calls it ‘illegal’
Vice President Naidu to visit Gabon, Senegal and Qatar from May 30 to June 7
PM Modi picks Tamil pitch
Eight-year-old Malda girl meets Mamata to thank her for welfare schemes