Badminton: Senior Worlds off to a colourful start

The week-long championship, where competitions will be held in eight age categories starting with over-35 years, was inaugurated by the Badminton Association of India President Hemanta Biswa Sarma, on Sunday evening.

The big star of the evening was P. Gopichand, the chief national coach who guided P.V. Sindhu to the silver at the recent Worlds.

Scotland’s former Commonwealth Games gold medallists Dan Travers and England’s Joanne Muggeridge are some of the top stars who will be seen in action in the Manorama BWF World senior badminton championships which begin at the Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium here on Monday.
 

The week-long championship, where competitions will be held in eight age categories starting with over-35 years, was inaugurated by the Badminton Association of India President Hemanta Biswa Sarma, on Sunday evening.
 

The opening ceremony, which included traditional dances, was a cultural treat but the big star of the evening was P. Gopichand, the chief national coach who guided P.V. Sindhu to the silver at the recent Worlds, who had to leave his chair for about 50 rounds of photo sessions with eager fans.
 

Former national coach Vimal Kumar, who coached Saina Nehwal to bronze at the Worlds and the planet’s top rank, Kochi Mayor Soumini Jain, Ernakulam District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla, K.V. Thomas, MP, were among those present at the opening function.
 

Matches begin on Monday morning.