Andhra Pradesh’s RMV Guru Sai Dutt and Maharashtra’s Arundhati Pantwane have received top billing in the boys and girls under-19 sections respectively for the 6th All-India junior ranking badminton tournament, which will be held at the Karnataka Badminton Association’s K Raheja Stadium from Oct 3 to 6.
Sai Dutt and Arundhati are the ones to watch out for as they have won the under-19 titles in the first two ranking tournaments at Chennai and Kochi. In the U-16 category, AP players Sai Praneeth B and Sikki Reddy are the top seeds in the boys and girls sections respectively.
The total number of entries will be about 450 and 300 players will vie for top honours and a total prize money of Rs two lakh.
The events to be conducted are singles and doubles for boys and girls in the under-16 and under-19 age categories.
The boys and girls U-19 singles winners will receive Rs 20,000 and Rs 12,000 as prize money.
“We decided not to have the under-10 and 13 events because there are enough tournaments in those two age categories,” said Prakash Padukone, whose Padukone Sports Management is conducting the tournament. The qualifying rounds will be played on the first day and the main draws will be held in the afternoon session of the second day.
