New Delhi/ Kolkata, October 8, 2018: Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd., the owner of the Delhi Dashers has bagged its prestigious team for the fourth edition of theVodafone Premier Badminton League (PBL), through the Players’ Auction that was announced in New Delhi earlier today. The 4^th edition of the sport promises to be a ritzy affair, with leading players from around the world and the country vying for the winning spot.

At the auction, Mr. Mahendra Singhi, Group CEO, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd. said “Badminton being the second most played sport in India after cricket, is very popular. We are thrilled to announce our team Delhi Dashers and the choicest players for this season of Premier Badminton League 2018. Led by Indian icon H S Prannoy and Indonesian champion Tommy Sugiarto, we are confident that the team will perform exceptionally well and emerge victorious this season. We have the right mix of power and punch when it comes to our new players in this edition. It is the vision of the company to make sports a way of life for everyone in the country and Badminton is just the right sport to achieve this. We are privileged and extremely excited for the league to begin.”

The world’s greenest cement company Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd. has been associated with sports through active on-ground sponsorship and this is its first foray into sports as a team owner.

Mr. Singhi added “Indian Badminton is an emerging sport where we see a great potential for our youth to make their mark at the world stage. Leagues like PBL will also provide a platform to the youth to choose Badminton as a career. This association will also help greater visibility for our brands with the growing popularity of the game. We look forward to a long-term association with PBL.”

The team for Delhi Dashers this year has a formidable line up comprising of one Indian and five international players namely H.S. Prannoy ranked world number 15 in Men’s singles, Tommy Sugiarto, ranked world number 11 in Men’s singles, Evgeniya Kosetskaya, Chai Biao, Maneepo Ngjongjit and Wang Sijie.

The Delhi team, which was known as Delhi Acers till two editions, was officially rechristened to Delhi Dashers from the 3^rd season. Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd. became the new owners of the Delhi Dashers franchise from the third edition (2017–18) of PBL.

The PBL, which is held under the aegis of the Badminton Association of India has already acquired the tag of being the richest badminton league that attracts all the top players. The 24-day league will see eight teams, namely Delhi Dashers, Mumbai Rockets, Bengaluru Blasters, Chennai Smashers, Hyderabad Hunters, North Eastern Warriors, Ahmedabad Smash Masters and Awadh Warriors in action.

KOLKATA: West Bengal Badminton Association (WBBA) in it’s endeavour to promote Badminton in West Bengal conducting various Age Group Tournaments in the state throughout the year such as U-9/11, U-13/15, U-17/19 and Men and Women.

WBBA is also organising a National Level Tournament every year so that the players of the State can see top players of the Country in action.

This year Bishnupriya Kundu Memorial All India Senior Doubles Ranking Badminton Tournament being Organised at the Indoor Hall of Sports Authority of India, Salt Lake, Kolkata from 15th to 18th March, 2017. Prize Money is Rs. 2 Lakhs.

Yonex AS-10 Shuttlecocks will be used. Yonex is equipment Sponsor of West Bengal Badminton Association.

Top Players from lmost all states of the country such as KERALA, KARNATAKA, GUJARAT, BIHAR, ASSAM, DELHI, UTTAR PRADESH, ORISSA, MAHARASHTRA, HARYANA, PUNJAB, JHARKHAND, CHATTISGARH, CHANDIGARH, TAMIL NADU, TELENGANA, RAILWAYS, ANDHRA PRADESH and WEST BENGAL are participating.

Semi-finals will start around 10 AM on Saturday the 18th March and the Finals will start around 3 PM, followed by prize distribution ceremony. Arup Biswas, Minister-in-Charge – Sports to be present as “CHIEF GUEST” during the finals. Sourav Ganguly, President CAB will be present as “GUEST OF HONOUR”.

Dignitaries such as Surojit Kar Purkayastha, DG & IGP, Sri S.A. Baba, Principal Secretary Sports Department, M. S. Goindi, Director SAI, Ajit Banerjee, President Bengal Olympic Association, Swapan Banerjee,General Secretary, Bengal Hockey Association will also present during the finals.

Jhulan Goswami, Former Indian Women’s Cricket Captain, Former Test Cricketer Pranab Roy and many other dignitaries were present during the inauguration ceremony.

Mumbai: Bank of Baroda, India’s Second Largest Public Sector Bank, today sealed its Principal Sponsorship contract with Badminton Olympians PV Sindhu and K Srikanth. The three year deal with the two players was agreed in principle before they represented and made India proud on the International stage at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Bank of Baroda, Executive Director, Mr. Mayank Mehta said, “Both PV Sindhu and K Srikanth today are household names because of their glorious achievements. The Bank is very excited to have both of them on board & looks forward to a strong bonding and fruitful association in the years to come.”

On the occasion, the Olympic Silver Medalist PV Sindhu said, “I was always keen to be associated with a brand which would compliment my persona. I am humbled and proud of being associated with an institution whose legacy is more than a century old.”

Expressing his feeling on this occasion, K Srikanth said, “I understand the importance of getting a sponsorship from a brand at this early stage of my career. It fills me with new zeal, spirit and energy to keep up my performance and to build popularity for Badminton. Bank of Baroda’s noble support for young budding sportsmen will improve the country’s track record in the field of sports in the global arena.”

This association is a commitment of the Bank in promoting sports and young sporting talent in the country and will go a long way in inspiring future generations in the field of sports.

Saina Nehwal will go under right knee surgery tomorrow morning at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital. As per reports Saina Nehwal fractured her right knee infrapateller supr.

Pain in her right leg started on 1st August just before start of Olympics in Rio, Brazil. While practicing on 8th August the pain got worse after training match. After that training session a sever pain in her right knee throughout he Rio campaign.

During her group match in Olympics, she had bandage in her knee, and was not able to lift low attack from opponent.

Surgery will be at 6 AM IST tomorrow.