VISAKHAPATNAM: In the inaugural matches held as part of Vizag Badminton League (VBL) here Sunday, Waltair Warriors beat Gajuwaka Gladiators and Steel City Kings beat Vizag Smashers.
On the lines of Indian Badminton League IBL, for the first time ever, the Visakhapatnam District Badminton Association (VDBA) is hosting the Visakhapatnam Badminton League (VBL), which was inaugurated at Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium by municipal commissioner J Pravin Kumar.
Pravin Kumar expressed his happiness over the conduct of the local badminton league and mentioned that it would encourage and identify local talent. He felt that the VBL would definitely bring about a huge change in the way the sport is perceived. “Solid framework can be created for the upliftment of badminton game in the City of Destiny through such league games,” he added.
Five teams including Gajuwaka Gladiators, Vizag Smashers, Doctors Dragons, Steel City Kings and Waltair Warriors, which include 14 international players and many national players, are taking part in the league being conducted in A category singles, B category singles, A category doubles, B category doubles and mixed doubles.
The rest of the matches will be held on April 24 and 25, while the finale will be hosted on April 26. VBL organising secretary and VDBA secretary R Srinivas, VDBA vice-president Shrilatha and One Stop 4U Private Limited (VBL official sponsor) member Murali Pujari took part.
VBL updates could be followed on the official website www.vizagbadmintonleague.in and on Facebook page www.facebook.com/VBL2015.