Bigger purse for ISC-Bin Sagar Badminton Open

Abu Dhabi: The 2006 edition of the ISC-Bin Sagar Open Badminton annual tournament will have a bigger purse on offer for the winners of the ten different categories.

Announcing details of the event which is one of the oldest in the UAE having started in 1976, India Social Centre President Thomas John said there is an increase of Dh10,000 in the total prize money.

"This is one of the most prestigious events for us and a total of Dh35,000 in cash and kind is on offer," he said.

Bigger participation

K. Anil Kumar, ISC General Secretary, said that this year there will be a bigger field taking part in the event. "We have sent in invitations to all the neighbouring GCC countries and we hope the increase in status to the event will attract a bigger participation," he said.

"Badminton is very popular both at ISC and here in the UAE. We have around 250 members actively playing the game here," said K.M. Santhosh, the ISC Sports Secretary.

The event is being sponsored by Gray Mackenzie & Partners, UAE XChange Centre and Thomas Cook Al Rostamani Exchange Co.

"With the event being upgraded we are proud to be associated.

"We have been supporting it over the years," said Sudhir Shetty of UAE XChange.

Sai Krishnan of Thomas Cook said it was the first time his company was getting involved in a badminton event. "We will whole-heartedly extend this relationship," he said.

Ananth Raman of Gray Mackenzie said, "This is the tenth year in succession we have are sponsoring this event."

The organisers also announced a daily raffle prize sponsored by Bin Sagar Group for the spectators.