Mumbai: Indian badminton legend Pullela Gopichand backed the upcoming Premier Badminton League (PBL) — the re-branded version of the Indian Badminton league — to be more exciting and said all eyes will be on the Indian players to deliver in the second edition of the marquee event.
The world’s richest badminton league will be held from January 2 to 17, after a hiatus of one year. Talking at the unveiling of the Mumbai franchise logo, Gopichand said the second edition of the badminton league will reveal how far the India players have come ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic qualification schedule next year.
“In the last edition, players like Kidambi Srikanth were just coming up. That is they actually came to prominence in the IBL. But now, they are at a stage where people are looking up to them. And they will have to deliver. So, it’s almost a maturing of the player, which we will see happen now.”
“Because, all said and done, its how they handle the pressure while playing against top players or against fellow players in India on home soil that will show how far they have come. They will be scrutinised much more and actually that helps players mature faster.” Gopichand said.
Despite the league being held on a short notice and many of the top players staying away, the former All England champion said the level of the second edition will be of a high quality.
“We have fantastic quality of players and that’s what will make the league more exciting. To have the likes of Lee Chong Wei, Mathais Boe, Joachim Fischer and Vladimir Ivanov, easily suggest that the level of the league is very good.
“Each day you will have Saina Nehwal playing or a P.V. Sindhu playing or a world champion or an Olympic medallist in action.” The 42-year-old felt the league would help in enhancing the growth of the young Indian players, who normally done get a chance to play in the Superseries tournament.
“With the Olympics coming up, it will definitely help Indian players to be on the bench or in practice or during the match with all the top players and will give them lot of experience. It’s not only the foreign players, but also having Saina (Nehwal), (P.V.) Sindhu and Srikanth in their team will help the younger players. Each team, if you pick up has names, which will enhance the experience and the game of the younger players,” the coach added.
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