Padukone wants more junior events

He said the response for the under-10 tournament held last month in Bangalore was good and more such tournaments should be held.

Speaking to reporters at the Cricket Club of India today, Padukone said though the gap between players in the country has decreased, players need to play in more tournaments. "Though camps are good, I would like to send players abroad or have more tournaments here," he said.

Though there are fewer tournaments being held in Asia because of the financial crunch, Padukone said that with encouraging sponsorship, things were looking up in India.

Padukone, who has been elected for a two-yearterm to the Council, said he has been made the Development Project Manager for the development of the sport in lesser developed countries of Asia. He also spoke in terms of organising camps and courses for coaches and umpires who were not fully aware of the rules.

The country’s greatest ever badminton champion said he was still getting used to the role of an administrator, a role he did not enjoy as much as his role as player or coach. "Coaching is still my first love," he said, admitting he had been reluctant to stand for the Council elections as well.

Meanwhile, two teams of four boys and girls (under-18) each will represent the country in the ABC Junior badminton championships to be held in Kuala Lumpur from June 15-21.

The teams will play in both the individual championships and in team’s championships which will be played in the Thomas Cup/Uber Cup pattern of three singles and two doubles. The teams will leave on June 12 along with manager OD Sharma and coach Hufrish Nariman.

Teams: Boys:Sachin Ratti (Rlys), Arup Baidya (Rlys), Chetan Anand (A-I) and Mitesh Hazirmish (A-I).

Girls: Divya Ramesh (A-I), Parul Priyadarshini (UP), D Swetha (A-I) and Ketki Thakkar (A-I). Manager: O D Sharma.

Coach: Hufrish Nariman.