450 shuttlers sign for MBL

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, August 31 

More than 450 players from across India have registered for the inaugural Masters Badminton League (MBL) scheduled to be held at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula from November 24 to 26. 

"It is a franchise-based league consisting of eight teams of 16 players each. The teams will battle out the title in a three-day combative tournament," the organisers of the league said here today, adding that the registered players would be divided into three categories — alpha, beta and gamma. 

"The players will be bought by the franchises in an auction scheduled to be held on October 2," said organising secretary Vinay Bhalla. 

The three-day league is organised under the aegis of Badminton Association of India and Haryana Badminton Association.

The championship will be played on a round robin basis with the semifinals and finals being knockouts.

The eight franchises are Fiery Feathers, Haryana Achievers, Hyderabad Nawabs, Aayushalya Smasher Kings, Mumbai Masters, Himachal Bulls, Devbhoomi Smashers and Vibrant Shuttlers.

While the winners get Rs 2,50,000, the runners-up will pocket Rs 1,00,000. Semifinalists will richer by Rs 50,000 each, the organisers added. 

For the players who have registered for the event but will not be picked at the auctions, the MBL will organise an on-the-spot jumbled doubles tournament. The competition will be played and completed on November 23, they added.