MBL set for action-packed opening day

Prior to the opening fixture between Gorgeous Gannets and Daring Doves,the Haveli Taluka Badminton Association will felicitate Dronacharya awardee SM Arif,who has coached some of India’s finest players including Pullela Gopi Chand,Saina Nehwal and Jwala Gutta.

With three ties (Two men’s singles matches,one women’s singles match,a men’s doubles match and a mixed doubles match each) to be played every day of the week-long league phase,viewers will have an exhaustive list of matches to choose from.The viewers do not necessarily have to be at the venue to witness the games as all the matches will streamed live on the MBL website mbl.htba.in.

When asked that a weekend-only format would have given players more time to rest between matches,organising secretary Uday Sane said that having matches every day was the only way to ensure that all of the state’s best players participated in the event.

“Last year,we had considered a weekend format but since all the national and international players are busy through the year with various camps and tournaments,it became difficult for them to fit into the MBL schedule,” said Sane. “We decided to have matches every day and finish the tournament in nine days.”

After the end of the league phase,the top four will enter the semifinals,both of which will be played on June 2. The final is on June 3. This year,the total prize money has gone up from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 6.44 lakh.