Cuttack: Olympic London Bronze Medal Saina Nehwal will be a star attraction in Odisha Open Super 100, the first international tournament in the state under the World Federation Badminton, which starts from Tuesday.
Saina has been served first in Single Women while P Kashyap is the top seed in Single Tournament Men who will be played at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium.
More than 300 players from 17 countries participated in this tournament.
The event began with the qualifying round on Tuesday and will continue until January 30.
The tournament, a BWF event, is being held jointly by the State and Youth Sports Department, the Indian Badishon Association and the Odisha unit.
“This is a matter of pride for our country to hold the prestigious sporting event,” said Minister of Sports Odisha TK Behera.
Because the tournament is played according to Covid-19 guidelines, no audience will be allowed to enter the stadium.
Covid-19 tests of all players, technical and volunteer officials have been carried out, after their arrival here.
Only those who find Covid-19 negative will be allowed to enter the stadium.
The match will be played in five categories – single men, single women, double men, women’s doubles and double mixed.
“About 350 players from 17 countries from all over the world will participate in five events in this tournament, where there has been a total prize of US $ 75,000,” said Girish Nattu, deputy head of the referee tournament.
“I am happy that the organizers have made an excellent arrangement to make this international badminton tournament a big success and I am sure many more tournaments will come to Odisha in the future,” Nattu added.