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Vodafone IBL Grand Finale all set to take place in Mumbai on Aug 31
With Saina looking at continuing her winning streak, Sindhu hopes get the record even
Mumbai, August 30, 2013: After 16 days of exhilarating action in front of packed houses at six
venues between the six teams in eight legs, including the semifinals, in the Vodafone IBL, it is
Hyderabad Hotshots and Awadhe Warriors who will finally battle it out in the final of the richest
prize-money badminton tournament, to be held in a neutral city, Mumbai on Saturday. The
most-awaited match yet again will be the clash between 'Indian Shuttle Queen' Saina Nehwal
and 'teen sensation' PV Sindhu.
With Saina striving to close the tournament not only with her team, Hyderabad Hotshots lifting
the trophy but even winning her second match against Sindhu which will help keep her record
clean with six straight wins in the League, Sindhu on the other hand will see this as an
opportunity to get back on Saina after her loss in her first match in Delhi. With Saina in great
form and eager to sign off on a high and with Sindhu in great spirits after a convincing win
against Tine Baun in the semi-finals on August 29 in Bangalore, it will be interesting to see the
outcome of this 'battles of the nerves' in the inaugural Vodafone IBL 2013 final between the
Olympic bronze medalist and the World bronze medalist respectively.
Speaking on the finals, Saina said, “It will be a good match to witness between me and Sindhu.
Our team will try to do well of course, but as the tournament passed by the Awadhe Warriors
team gained momentum, but we will do our best. It's not the Olympics, IBL is a team event and
it will be a different feeling playing the League final for the first time."
The 23-year-old Hyderabad Hotshot star added, "A team event is tough to play as there is extra
pressure from the team, but all of us are ready for the challenge."
Commenting on the experience in the Vodafone IBL 2013, Saina said, "We are happy to see
Vodafone IBL 2013 doing so well. The first season is already towards the close and it has been
a great experience with the fans, I loved the atmosphere and I am sure next year it will be even
better.”
On eve of the Vodafone IBL 2013 Finals, Sindhu said, "I hope to give my best tomorrow against
Saina. She is a senior player, experienced and good at what she does, so I’ll play my 100 per
cent."
Further, commenting on the prospects of Awadhe Warrior, the 18-year-old added, "Both Piya
and Kido are playing really well in the mixed doubles and I hope they do their best. Boe
(Mathias) is a top player in doubles. Beating Tine Baun has given me confidence because my
first win against her was in the Vodafone IBL itself and yesterday was only my second win
against Tine. Winning against her is an achievement in itself."
In the men’s singles, all eyes will be on Hyderabad Hotshots Ajay Jayaram and K Srikanth who
during their individual matches against Lee Chong Wei showed the world that they should not
be taken lightly. With Mathias Boe and Markis Kido looking at winning the men’s doubles for
Awadhe Warrior yet again it will be interesting to see the strategy that the duo of Goh V Shem
and Wah Lim Khim adopt to win the category for Hyderabad Hotshots.
It will be interesting to see the strategy that the finalists adopt for this do-or-die battle as one
wrong decision will cost them the Vodafone IBL 2013 trophy. It remains to be seen whether
Hyderabad Hotshots opt for Saina as their mixed doubles partner with Goh V Shem to play
against the dominant pair of Markis Kido and Pia Bernadeth! For LIVE action, tune in to ESPN &
STAR SPORTS 2 at 2000hrs on August 31.
Schedule Final: August 31, NSCI (Mumbai)
Hyderabad Hotshots vs Awadhe Warriors @ 8 pm
The $1-million Vodafone Indian Badminton League started on August 14, 2013, with some highvoltage action. The 2013 IBL features six franchises, Hyderabad Hotshots, Awadhe Warrior,
Pune Pistons, Mumbai Masters, BOP Banga Beats and Krrish Delhi Smashers, competing over
18 days. Each franchise hosted a two-day leg and overall the League has showcased a total of
83 matches so far, with five matches remaining to be played in the finals. The Vodafone IBL
offers a prize money of $1-million which makes it the richest prize-money badminton
tournament.
About BAI:
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) is the governing body for badminton in India. BAI is an association registered under the
Societies Act and affiliated to the Badminton World Federation, BAC and the IOA. BAI was formed in 1934 and has been holding
national-level tournaments in India since 1936. BAI conducts international tournaments in India like the India Open Superseries,
Syed Modi India Grand Prix, national championships, selects team and conducts camps for Olympic Games, World Championship,
looks after training of technical officials, and takes path-breaking initiatives like Indian Badminton League to promote the sport.
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the Yonex Sunrise India Open 2013. The company is India’s leading TV Rights Management Company, and has been associated
with almost all the premier sporting events in India like the IPL, Euro 2012, Sri Lanka Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League,
FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches etc. Based in Noida (Delhi NCR), Sporty Solutionz also specialises in Sports Production,
Events, Talent Management & Sports PR & Press Operations.
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