IBAK-KBF Kuwait Badminton Challenge 2018 kicks off
KUWAIT CITY, Oct 18: The muchawaited international badminton event ‘Kuwait Badminton Challenge 2018’ will kick started from today. The tournament was inaugurated by HE Sri Jeeva Sagar, the Ambassador of India to Kuwait in the presence of Capt Ali Al Marri, Vice-President Badminton Asia Confederation.
The tournament will continue through Oct 19 and 20 at the Saad Al Awzi School (IBAK Gym). Meshal Abdullah Fahad Alotaibi, the deputy chairman of directors, Warba disabled sport club has consented to be a special invitee for the event.
The Indian Badminton Association Kuwait in Association (IBAK) along with Kuwait Badminton Federation is conducting the lone international badminton tournament in Kuwait for the fifth year in a row. The event has proved successful and even more attractive year after year. In the past many world ranked players particularly from India and Indonesia have participated in this prestigious event. This year’s event has expanded the geographical reach of the tournament
The event will feature several top badminton players from across the world. Malaysian top seeded players Goh Giap Chin, Yogendra Krishnan and Thanesh Veerappan will show case their talent in Kuwait for the first time. Indian top seeds Arun George, Sanyam Shukla, Nandagopal Kidambi, Sheikh Gouse, Shyam Prasad, Mohammed Munawar, Manjush Mohan, Brijesh Yadav, Kapil Choudhari, Pranav Satheesh and Sharon Raphel too will entertain the badminton lovers of Kuwait in the three days badminton extravaganza. Indonesian pair Hendre Aprida Gunawan and Zulkifly Lana also will prove tough for their opponents.
The tournament has 2 separate events, the Team event, which is only by invitation and an Open event. Team event will be played on a league cum knock out format. Open event consists of 18 separate categories and will be played in knockout format. Tournament will feature 250 players and will be assisted by over 100 officials.
Eight teams will participate in the team event. Team event participants are from major clubs like Abbassiya Tuskers, Indonesian Badminton Club Kuwait, Victor Badminton Academy, Shuttle Stingers and 3 teams from the Indian Badminton Association Kuwait. The three IBAK teams are, the IBAK All Stars, who are the defending champion for the last three years, the IBAK Challengers led by Aneef Latheef and the IBAK Chargers led by Suresh Ramachandran
The following are the sponsors – Gold Sponsor Kout Food Group (Pizza Hut) and Silver sponsor Universal Technical Gen Trdg and Cont Co; Mahatta Trading Co, Al-Ghanim Transportation Logistics and Solutions, Al-Tawaf Commission Agent, Jeevanam Health Institute, Good Life General Trading Co, Grand Hyper Market, Zafiri Uniform, Hussain Jowhar Co, Yamama Al Baida Co, Al Bandokiya International, Unimoni Kuwait, Orma Plaza Foodstuff Company, Al Rathath Est, Kohinoor Radiator, AL Mailem, T & S Gen Trdg and Building CO, Indial Labanese Gen Trdg & Cont Co, NBTC and Pheonix Auto Center for their whole hearted support extended for the event.