CGames-2022 deadline looms with Birmingham in box seat

Australia could bid if alternative host cannot be found IBAK-KBF Kuwait Badminton Challenge 2017 kick starts today

LONDON, Sept 20, (RTRS): Potential candidate cities for the 2022 Commonwealth Games have until the end of the month to submit details of intent with Britain’s Birmingham seen to be in pole position as organisers continue the search for a new host.

Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur and the Canadian city of Victoria are also in the running but both have sent mixed signals in recent months concerning their ability to pay for the event.

South Africa’s Durban were removed as hosts in March after failing to agree to financial guarantees and losing government support.

“Over the past few months, an expert CGF (Commonwealth Games Federation) review team has been working with countries from around the Commonwealth in the evaluation of proposals

The much awaited badminton event ‘Kuwait Badminton Challenge’ starting Sept 21, 2017, features several top badminton players from across the world such as Alwin Francis of India ranked no 44 in doubles, Abhishek Yeligar of India and Fikri Ihsand Hadmadi of Indonesia who are currently ranked inside top 100 in singles and many other BWF ranked players. Reigning

IBAK family pose for a group photo before the opening of the tournament. singles champion Shreyans Jaiswal will also be defending his crown.

The tournament has 2 separate events, ‘Team Event’ which is invitational and an ‘Open Event’. The Open Event consists of 16 separate categories which will feature 252 players.

The tournament will be assisted by 150 officials. The Indonesian Ambassador will inaugurate the tournament in the presence of Capt Ali Al Marri, President Kuwait Badminton Federation. In the team event there are 8 teams battling for the crown which includes teams from India, Indonesia and Qatar and 5 teams from Kuwait.

IBAK teams are as follows: IBAK All Stars — Manimarachozhan (C), Alwin Francis, Nandagopal Kidambi, Shreyans Jaiswal, Venkat Gaurav Prasad, T. Maran, Abhishek Yeligar, Meghana Jakkampudi.

IBAK Challengers — Aneef (C), Yashin, Bader, Usman, Bibin, Sayooj, Sarin, Ilayaraja, Keerthi, Dhruva

IBAK Gladiators — Chandramouli (C), Bastian, Hisham, Suresh, Rajesh,Mohan, Alen, Niyati, Sarvesh, Sarhan, Varun

IBAK Vikings — Arif (C), Subin, Thomas, Shine, Rafeeq, Vikas, Anand, Manju, Subin,Timothy, Karthik, Shirley.

IBAK requests all badminton lovers in Kuwait along with their family and friends to witness this splendid event. For more enquiries, please feel free to contact Chandrahas KT (General Secretary-IBAK) (97291450) and tournament director Ajay Kumar (98052789).