<p>Sahara India Pariwar on Tuesday joined the Indian Badminton League as it bought the Lucknow franchise ahead of the inaugural first-of-its-kind event in the sport to be played August 14 to 31.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A major business conglomerate and the prime promoter and patron of sports in India, Sahara’s Lucknow franchisee will be one of the six teams competing in the championship.<br /><br />Speaking on the occasion, Subrata Roy Sahara Managing Worker & Chairman of the company said: “We are proud to associate with this initiative of Badminton Association of India. Indian Badminton League will boost the sports of Badminton and will redraw the attention of people towards it.<br /><br />“I am sure that sure that the league will also help in identifying fresh talent and will give a platform of international standard for grooming and competing, eventually bringing laurels to our beloved nation.”<br /><br />Akhilesh Das, president, Badminton Association of India, said: “I am grateful to ‘Saharasri’ and Sahara India Pariwar, for coming forward in support of Badminton. The Group has always accorded priority to various forms of sports and I hope this will encourage other corporates to come forward in support of the game of Badminton.”<br />Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Delhi, Bangalore and Lucknow are the six cities that will feature in the first edition of IBL.<br /><br />Each franchise will host a two-day leg and the $1 million event will have a grand total of 90 matches. The top four franchises will clash in the semifinals and the winners will meet in the grand final on August 31 in Mumbai.</p>
<p>Sahara India Pariwar on Tuesday joined the Indian Badminton League as it bought the Lucknow franchise ahead of the inaugural first-of-its-kind event in the sport to be played August 14 to 31.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A major business conglomerate and the prime promoter and patron of sports in India, Sahara’s Lucknow franchisee will be one of the six teams competing in the championship.<br /><br />Speaking on the occasion, Subrata Roy Sahara Managing Worker & Chairman of the company said: “We are proud to associate with this initiative of Badminton Association of India. Indian Badminton League will boost the sports of Badminton and will redraw the attention of people towards it.<br /><br />“I am sure that sure that the league will also help in identifying fresh talent and will give a platform of international standard for grooming and competing, eventually bringing laurels to our beloved nation.”<br /><br />Akhilesh Das, president, Badminton Association of India, said: “I am grateful to ‘Saharasri’ and Sahara India Pariwar, for coming forward in support of Badminton. The Group has always accorded priority to various forms of sports and I hope this will encourage other corporates to come forward in support of the game of Badminton.”<br />Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Delhi, Bangalore and Lucknow are the six cities that will feature in the first edition of IBL.<br /><br />Each franchise will host a two-day leg and the $1 million event will have a grand total of 90 matches. The top four franchises will clash in the semifinals and the winners will meet in the grand final on August 31 in Mumbai.</p>