PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship in Hyderabad

• Over 1400 entries received for Southern India (including Chennai & Hyderabad) tournament
• Brand Ambassador Vaishnavi Reddy present to encourage the participants
• Cumulative entries exceed 4400 across 5 locations including Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad
• Matches to be held under 5 categories: U-9, U-11, U-13, U-15 and U-17 for both boys and girls
• Strengthens CSR program: hosts training camps to identify potential talent among underprivileged children and coach them for participation
• Registration details on www.healthforhappiness.in

Hyderabad, February 3, 2016: PNB MetLife India, one of India’s leading life insurance companies and SARA FOUNDATION (An organisation for the promotion of sports), bring the coveted National PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) - Season 2 to Southern India (Hyderabad). Starting February 3, 2016, the tournament will be played at PJR GHMC Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad with the finals scheduled for February 6, 2016. More than 600 participants have registered for the tournament displaying huge excitement and response among the young badminton playing community. The tournament has been approved by BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF INDIA (BAI) and is being supported by Badminton Association of Telangana & Hyderabad District Badminton Association.

With more than 4400 entries received for the tournaments in five cities including Hyderabad, Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai and Chennai, PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) - Season 2 has already surpassed the record of its first season, showcases its popularity among young shuttlers.

This initiative is being conducted by PNB MetLife & SARA Foundation to promote grass-root level sports across the country.

The inaugural event in Hyderabad was attended by stalwarts including Md. SM Arif, Dronacharya Awardee who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Vaishnavi Jakka Reddy, Brand Ambassador, PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Chamionship was also present during the inaugural ceremony. Sh. Rajeev Puri, Deputy General Manager, Circle Head, Hyderabad Circle, Punjab National Bank was the Guest of Honour at the event.

The Hyderbad tournament will witness nail-biting matches where young and talented shuttlers will fight it out for the top positions. The winners of the Hyderabad tournament will enter the National Finals of the championship. The excitement levels will soar as ranking players from across India are expected to participate in the tournament. The matches will be played in 5 categories - U-9, U-11, U-13, U-15 and U-17 for both boys and girls. Every city will select top 8 kids (Under 9 and 11) and top four kids (under 13,15 and 17) and they will qualify for grand finale to take pace in New Delhi from 28 to 30 March 2016.

Sh. Rajeev Puri, Deputy General Manager, Circle Head, Hyderabad Circle, Punjab National Bank, Guest of Honour at the event said, “It is really exciting to be here with so many energized children seeking to win the zonal championships. To make badminton as popular as cricket or football in India requires much support. Being a family sport badminton sees equal participation from mostly all family members. It is great to see our partners PNB MetLife create a platform to promote talent in badminton.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ashutosh Kumar, Associate Director- Marketing, PNB MetLife, said, “Hyderabad has a lot of talent in terms of young and enthusiastic kids who are extremely passionate about badminton and we are delighted to bring PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship Season-2 here. So far over 3800 entries were received from four cities including Chennai. It is great to see momentum continuing in southern India with over 600 entries received for Hyderabad tournament. As the tournament grows much in scale in its second season, we will continue to provide all possible support from the company to promote the budding players. The top players from the Hyderabad tournament will compete in the National Finals in March 2016. We appreciate SARA Foundation for taking the lead to promote innovative practices in Indian sports and at the grass-root level.”

Commenting on the initiative, Chief Guest and Dronacharya Awardee Md. SM Arif said, “I would like to congratulate PNB MetLife and Sara Foundation for successfully taking Badminton to grass root level in India. With immense talent, now Badminton is getting required support. My best wishes to all the young shuttlers to play well in the tournament.”

Mr. Pani Rao Kunta, Chief Referee, PNB MetLife JBC- Tournament (Hyderabad- South Zone) said, “The tournament in North and West Zone was completed successfully with exhilarating response from the participants. Even, Chennai tournament that concluded last month also received great response and we are sure that our Hyderabad tournament will be even more exciting. With support from PNB MetLife and SARA FOUNDATION, we will spot top talent in Badminton sport and provide them with a platform to showcase their skills. Sara Foundation remains committed to promote sports and Hyderabad tournament will further strengthen our mission.” 

After Hyderabad, the league is set to get under way in Calicut, Lucknow and Guwahati. The feat would shift back to Delhi for the semi-finals and finals starting March 28, 2016. Ten children and sixteen underprivileged children across different age-groups will win scholarships for training in a reputed Badminton Academy.

For more information & registration one can visit www.healthforhappiness.in

About PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited 

PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) is one of the fastest growing life insurance companies in the country having as its shareholders, MetLife International Holdings Inc. (MIHI), Punjab National Bank Limited (PNB), Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited (JKB), M. Pallonji and Company Private Limited and other private investors, with MIHI and PNB being the majority shareholders. 

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For more information, visit PNB MetLife

About Sara Foundation

Sara foundation is deeply engaged in scouting and promoting sports talent throughout the country. In recent times, the organization has been identifying many sports prodigies (Boys/Girls) and has been providing sustainable support to many young sports talent in the country.

Sara Foundation has designed a series of regional and national level sports activities in India for school children to help them participate and develop a SPORTS CULTURE. After winning many successes & accolades in recent times, currently the organization is organizing the much awaited national tournament- ‘PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) 2016’.