New Delhi: The Indian Badminton League (IBL) took a huge step forward on Wednesday with the announcement of its first franchise – the PVP Group. A Hyderabad-based multi business house that has interest in realty, media & entertainment and particularly Bollywood, PVP Group makes its debut in sports league and comes with no previous connect with the sport. Their initiative of picking up the Hyderabad Franchise is a testimony to the fact that badminton as a sport is growing in its profile in India and a League on the sport is being regarded by Corporate as a blue-chip investment.
Speaking on its association with Badminton and IBL, Prasad V Potluri, the Chairman of PVP Group, said, “We are extremely delighted with our association with the Indian Badminton League. PVP Group aims to utilise this platform and will ensure that Badminton in India grows and continues to produce world champions. Badminton has brought huge laurels for India in the past and is again capturing the imagination of the masses through the achievements of stars like Saina Nehwal, Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa and others. PVP is confident that the IBL will serve as a great platform to promote and reward both established players and upcoming ones.”
Speaking on their decision on buying Hyderabad Hotshots franchise Potluri further added, “Sports is an integral part of the Consumption story in India. It’s a logical expansion of our Media & Entertainment business to pitch for a badminton team and enter the sports entertainment business.”
Speaking on PVP’s successful bid to own the Hyderabad Hotshots franchise, Ashish Chadha, CEO, Sporty Solutionz, the ‘Commercial Partner’ for IBL, said, “Badminton as a sport brings a lot of positivity today and we hope the IBL will create a platform that will inspire and fire the imagination of millions of youth in the country. We are proud to be associated with PVP Group and them coming on board as the owners of Hyderabad Hotshots. They bring enormous clout in the entertainment industry and we hope it will boost our efforts to support and promote badminton in a zany and exciting format.”
Speaking on PVP Group as the franchise for Hyderabad Hotshots, Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta, Badminton Association of India President and MP said, “We welcome Hyderabad-based PVP Group into the badminton family. Hyderabad deserves a great franchise as they are one of the leading nurseries for badminton in India, and I’m confident that PVP Group will support the game in a big way. With their support Hyderabad Hotshots can aspire to win the IBL title in the inaugural year.”
The $1-million Indian Badminton League is set to launch on August 14, 2013, with some high-voltage action expected between PVR Ventures’ Hyderabad Hotshots and Karnataka Kings. The 2013 IBL will feature six franchises and will run for 18 days. Each franchise will host a two-day leg and the League will showcase a grand total of 90 matches, providing broadcasters and in-stadia spectators with more than 100 hours of LIVE “family entertainment” which will also be viewed by a significant international audience. The matches will be held during late afternoon and evening to coincide with prime time television and providing a convenient time for the stadium audience. The LIVE IN-stadia entertainment, combined with high-octane on-court action is expected to further hook viewers onto this new adrenalin packed LIVE family entertainment format attracting a much younger fan base, which also includes women and children.
The top four franchises in the League will clash in the semifinals and the winners will meet in the grand final on August 31, which will be played out in Mumbai, for the richest prize money tournament in badminton till now.
The IBL will also run the biggest school championship for badminton in India – Shuttle Express. The IBL School Programme is expected to touch five lakh children in more than 120 schools in six major cities, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Pune. The Shuttle Express offers Rs 10 lakh as prize money and an opportunity to train at the world-class Pullela Gopichand Academy to the young talent.