The MIG Cricket Club, Bandra East,which has been promoting different sports besides cricket in their premises, have recently renovated their Badminton hall with newly laid wooden flooring. This elite Club will be hosting Suhas Nadkarni Memorial Yonex Sunrise Maharashtra State Badminton tournament from 30th May to 3rd June 2023.
Chairman of the Tournament Committee Dr. Ajit Desai made this announcement at a Press Conference held in MIG Cricket Club today afternoon. This 5- day contest which will witness more than 400 participants from different parts of Maharashtra will be conducted under the auspices of Maharashtra Badminton Association. Mr. Anant Barve, President and Mr. Shrikant Shetty, Hon.Gen. Secretary and Dr. Mohan Nagpurkar were also present during this announcement besides former Badminton Champs Mangirish Palekar, Ajit Nair and Milind Ghate, who are part of the organising committee.
Photo: (from L to R) Shrikant Shetty, Secretary, MIG CC, Mangirish Palekar, Associate Tournament Coordinator, Dr. Ajit Desai, Chairman, Tournament organizing committee, Anant Barve, President, MIG CC and Ajit Nair, Tournament Coordinator
The competition will be conducted in five categories, which include Boys U-17 Singles & Girls U-17 Singles. The other three categories include Women’s Doubles ( 70+ years combination), Men’s doubles ( 80+ years combination) and Men’s doubles ( 90+ years combination). Dr. Desai further highlighted that this event offers the highest Prize money with a total cash fund of Rs. 3.50 lakh at stake for Winners, runners-up and losing semi finalists. But, above all, what is to be appreciated is the new initiative by the organisers to support the economically compromised, deserving and talented youngsters from Maharashtra with a scholarship s package, which would help such players to focus on their game to prove their mettle.
Explaining about the Team Championship event, Mr. Mangirish Palekar disclosed that there were 21 teams from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and different parts of Maharashtra, which were divided into four groups. In the Juniors events, rising young star Naishaa Kaur and in the Masters’ event Ajay Jayram will be the main attraction in this tournament. Many top players will also be seen in action. Another big attraction will be the presence of two legends namely Prakash Padukone and Sunil Gavaskar on the final day of this tournament, as they have consented to be the chief guests.
The tournament will be played at two different venues. Besides MIG Cricket club, matches will also be played at Andheri Sports Complex . Matches of Juniors will be played between 10 am and 5 pm and those for the Masters will be played after 5 pm. The organisers will make arrangements for Cardiologist, Physiotherapist and also Ambulance at the venue to attend to any emergency situation. To the outstation participants, MIG Club have set up a travel desk to assist them for their travel and accommodation. Mr. Sanjay Patharephekar ( 9833023354) has been assigned this responsibility.