[1]In Kozhikode and its outskirts, a game is gaining in popularity. Many tournaments are being organised and the stadia and grounds are packed to capacity. It is not volleyball or football that we are taking about but badminton.
“There are a lot of club competitions happening on the city outskirts. All the championships are held under floodlights so that more people can come and enjoy the sport,” says S. Venugopal, District Badminton Association vice-president.
For instance, from February 20, the all-Kerala Li-Ning Badminton Championship will be organised by Samasya club to be held at Thiruvannur in Kozhikode.
About 44 teams from all over the state have confirmed their participation. “We have arranged a gallery that can accommodate 2,000 spectators and the entry will be free,” he said.
There were about 3,000 spectators in the temporary gallery erected for the Thekkepuram Sports Club Badminton Tournament recently.
“Sixty-four teams participated in the junior, senior and veteran categories in the tournament. It was a big success and this is the fourth time we are conducting the tournament,” said B.V. Mohammed Ashraf, an organiser.
“It was started by about 40 persons here and within three years the tournament has become one of the best crowd pullers in the region,” he says.
Another tournament recently held at Peruvayal in Kozhikode also saw the stadium being choc a bloc. “We have been organising this tournament for the past six years.
About 2,000 people in the area came to watch the tournament last time,” says A.A. Anto, one of the organisers. Sixty-four clubs took part in the tournament.
Many players from the SAI and other sports centres also come to play in these badminton tournaments.
“These tournaments show that badminton is popular not only in the cities but also on the outskirts. We also get good sponsorships for these tournaments,” said Venugopal.
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