BAI to hold All India Masters Ranking Badminton tournament from September 19 in Goa

Will fourth time prove to be the charm for the Badminton Association of India (BAI), which has been trying to revive the domestic circuit for the last few months? After thrice being denied permission by government authorities, the BAI is changing tack.

Now, instead of holding tournaments for juniors or seniors, BAI is trying to organize the competition for those over 35 years of age. The sport’s national governing body has announced that they will organize the All India Masters Ranking Badminton tournament for men and women from September 19-26 in Goa.

The Goa Badminton Association will host the eight-day-long tournament, under the auspices of BAI, at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium in Navelim. There will be no qualifying rounds, with only the main draw being played in both the men and women’s sections.

The organizers have divided the tournament into two parts: over the first four days, matches for those in the 55-plus, 60-plus, 65-plus, 70-plus and 75-plus age groups will be played. The second phase will be held from September 23 for those in the 35-plus, 40-plus, 45-plus and 50-plus age brackets.

In a circular sent to all affiliated state units on Thursday, BAI said that September 11 will be the last date for submission of entries. The draws will be published on September 18 on the BAI website, the circular said. Goa Badminton Association secretary Sandeep Heble will be the organizing secretary of the tournament.

Goa tournament will be selection trials for BWF World Senior Championships: BAI

The tournament in Goa assumes significance as it will form the basis for selection to the forthcoming BWF World Senior Championships 2021. The competition will take place from November 28 to December 4 in Huelva, Spain.

Manjusha Sudhir Sahasrabudhe (right) won the silver medal in Poland in 2019

The BWF World Senior Championships are held every two years. This is an individual tournament with men’s and women’s singles and doubles events. The last edition was held in 2019 in Poland.