Senior National Badminton Championship Returns to Bengaluru
Bengaluru is all set to host the Senior National Badminton Championship after nearly 12 years, with the tournament kicking off on Wednesday at the KBA courts. This week-long event will feature the nation’s rising badminton stars, beginning with team championships in the first two days, followed by individual competitions.
Focus on Emerging Talent
The tournament has transitioned into a platform for nurturing India’s up-and-coming badminton players. Notable participants include defending champion Anmol Kharb, Isharani Baruah, and Tanvi Sharma, all of whom represented India in the Uber Cup earlier this year. On the men’s side, players like Chirag Sen, Ayush Shetty, Mithun Manjunath, and Sai Prateek are set to compete. Interestingly, while Ayush, Mithun, and Sai Prateek hail from Karnataka, they will represent Railways in the competition.
Prize Money and Participation
The championship has drawn 450 players, competing for a prize pool of ₹50 lakh. Of this, ₹10 lakh is allocated for the team competition. The singles winners will take home ₹3.25 lakh each, while doubles champions will win ₹3.45 lakh. Teams from Karnataka, Railways, RBI, and other states will vie for top honors.
Local Stars to Watch
Karnataka’s own Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhat, a strong women’s doubles pair, are expected to attract attention as they compete on their home turf.
This tournament, revived by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) in 2017, serves as a critical step in building a robust talent pipeline for Indian badminton, offering a platform for the next generation of stars to shine.