Indian Open Gold Grand Prix badminton tournament -- after being postponened due to security situation and problems in obtaining shuttles -- is finally set to roll here from Wednesday. The top-flight and the first big event in India will see some of the best in the badminton world, including the Chinese, vying for top honours with the best Indian talent at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium at the outskirts of the city till April 6.

The mouth-watering field includes the latest Chinese sensation Chen Jin (World No 4), who won the All-England men’s singles title this year, his top-seeded comptriot Bao Chunlai, (World No 3), third-seeded Yu Chen (No 11) also from China, fourth-seeded South Korea’s Sung Hwan Park (No 10), fifth-seeded Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana (No 12) and sixth-seeded Malaysia’s Choong Hann Wong (No 6) competing in the men’s section.

Bonanza

Among the women, it is a bonanza for the event with China’s top-seeded Xingfang Xie (No 1), third-seeded Zhu Lin (No 5) and second-seeded Lu Lan (No 3) making it to the event.

One of the main reasons for the good turn-out is perhaps that this is an Olympic qualification event. With their top-notch players in the field, there is little doubt that the event will be dominated by the Chinese. The Thais and the Malaysians could create a flutter or two in the men’s section.

The home challenge will be led by India’s top men’s singles players Arvind Bhat (world No 43) and National champion Chetan Anand (No 81). But it will be a real test for them competing with the best in the business. Bhat will take on Korea’s Sung Hwan Park in the second round, while Anand will play the winner of the match between Carlos Longo (Spain) and Sairul Amar Ayob (Malaysia) in the second round. More than the $120,000 prize money, the main incentive for the Indian players to do well will the ticket to the Beijing Olympics. JBS Vidyadhar takes on the winner of Yan Kit Chan (Hong Kong) and Kwong Beng Chan (Malaysia) in the second round. All three Indians got byes in the first round.

In form player

India’s Anand Pawar (world No 85) is another capable player and will take on Peruvian Andres Corpancho, who is relatively unknown and there should be no problem for the former to beat in the first round. Pawar had won the Portuguese Open and Austrian Open in the last two months. The junior Indian players in the main draw are P Kashyap, junior National champion RMV Guru Sai Dutt, Jishnu Sanyal and Ajay Jayaram, who will all play the first round.

In the women’s section, it is safe to assume that Xingfang, Lu Lan and Zhu will rule the roost. The top Indian in the women’s section Saina Nehwal (world No 27) runs into Japanese Yu Hirayama, someone the Indian has beaten earlier.