IMPHAL, August 26: The 37th Junior Boys’ and Girls’ National Badminton Champioship, 2012 will be held at Imphal from November 10 to 18 after more than 20 years, said Badminton Association of India secretary Puniah Choudhary during a press conference at the MBA, conference hall, DM College campus today.
The U-17 events were included for the first time in the 36th Junior National championship held in Jaipur last year.
Further briefing the media persons he said, the qualifying rounds for the said championship will be held from November 10 to 11.
Team events of the national championship will be held from November 12-13, while the open/individual events (U 17 and 19), singles, doubles and mixed doubles will be held from November 14 to 18.
He elaborated that 32 units/state affiliated to the Association will participate in the championship.
Around 500 players both boys and girls including several international players will participate.
The main objective of holding the championship in the state is to hunt young players from the NE region.
Players will be selected from this championship for the World championship and other international tournaments, he said.
Manipur Badminton Association general secretary, N Jatin Singh said the association has been urging the national body to bring the championship in the state.
He continued that the national body has in an act of encouragement provided Rs 20 lakh for the organization of the championship though other states are awarded only Rs 10 lakh for the organization of national events.
He however added that the total estimate of holding the championship is Rs 1.8 crore.
He further appealed to the state government to upgrade the Khuman Lampak, Indoor stadium so as to enable proper and successful holding of the championship in the state.
He said the Khuman lampak Indoor Stadium is the likely venue for the championship and added that the stadium will have 10 courts, two for practice and 8 for competition.
He further appealed the people of the state to support the organizers.
The press briefing was also attended by several members of the MBA.