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The sixth version of the Premier Badminton League (PBL) was on Friday postponed to subsequent 12 months, retaining in thoughts the well being and security of the gamers amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic. The league, which is without doubt one of the highest prize cash badminton tournaments on the earth, was initially scheduled to happen within the final week of December in Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. However, SportzLive, the official license holder of the league underneath the aegis of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), determined to postpone the occasion as a result of prevailing circumstances.
With the sporting world step by step returning to the observe, the organisers are eager to roll out the season subsequent 12 months. “We have been lucky to get a window in December-January for last five years but COVID has turned life upside down. International travel is also banned till December 31 so that is also a problem. We have to think about players’ safety in these times,” Prasad Mangipudi, MD, SportzLive instructed PTI.
PBL is a sought-after world badminton league having six-franchise-based groups, who compete in a house and away format. The fifth version of the event was held from January 20 to February 9 throughout 4 cities early this 12 months.
Mangipudi is hopeful worldwide journey restrictions will likely be eased and issues will likely be higher subsequent 12 months with the announcement of vaccines. “This year’s edition would have happened in cities like Pune, Mumbai, Delhi which are most hit. Also there is Asia leg in January and then the Olympic qualifiers but we are hoping to host the event between the Olympics and the end of the last qualifying tournament in May.”
“Then we are able to get some key gamers, together with the Tokyo-bound gamers, who might take this occasion as a match follow forward of the Games as you could have assured 5-6 matches on this occasion.”
“But we have to wait and watch, can’t say anything right now. Hoping once we have a vaccine in January-February, things will get clear and we will be able to lock a date.”
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Denmark Open (October) is the one worldwide occasion that has been held this 12 months for the reason that All England Open in March.
Due to the pandemic, the BWF had re-scheduled the Asian leg to subsequent 12 months with the Asia Open I slated for January 12-17, adopted by Asia Open II from January 19-24 and the BWF World Tour Finals from January 27-31.
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