Andhra Badminton League matches from today

Rajamahendravaram: Godavari Guns Team (GGT) organising committee convenor Kothapalli Bala Subramanyam has said that TGV Bharat Andhra Badminton League entered season-2 and the league will commence from January 20. Andhra Pradesh State Badminton Association started the league from last year to encourage badminton players in the state.

Speaking to media at press club here on Friday, he said East Godavari District Badminton Association president Tetali Rama Reddy had purchased GGT players in Kurnool last year.

The team consists of national and international players such as Kidambi Nanda Gopal, V Gangadhar Raom Koya Sai Charan, D Sarat, D Sudha Kalyani, M Archana along with additional player Bezavada Girish Naidu. From January 20, the league will be held in the categories of men’s single, men’s doubles, women’s singles, boys’ singles and mixed doubles.

The first match will commence in pool A between Vizag Smashers vs Steel Giants in Visakhapatnam and second match will be held on January 21 in Vizianagaram between GGT vs Steel Giants and the third match will be held on January 22 in Rajamahendravaram between Vizag Smashers and GGT in KSS stadium.

Pool B matches will be conducted on January 23 in Vijayawada, on January 24 in Guntur and on January 25 in Ongole. The winning teams will be selected for semi-finals scheduled to be held on January 25 in Kurnool, he said.

A cash prize of Rs 3 lakh will be given to league winner, Rs 2 lakh for runner-up and Rs 1 lakh for the players of semi-finals and Rs 75, 000 to the players of pool matches.

In the auction, the highest rate went to Kidambi Nanda Gopal. Sri Vidya Constructions and Rocky Avenues and Madduris Advocates are sponsors to GGT. GGT members M Shankar, B Venkat, team manager T Ravi Kumar, coach Bhadram and players participated in the press meet.