Badminton Authority of India (BAI) president, Akhilesh Dasgupta threw the tournament open hoping it to be the 'best tournament of the world' in the upcoming years.
It started with a stutter with Salim Merchant choking at the start of the national anthem but when he cleared his throat and got his mojo back, the audience at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium, NSCI in Mumbai could only watch in admiration. The much awaited second season the Premier Badminton League (PBL) (rechristened from Indian Badminton League) was underway with a bang.
Badminton Authority of India (BAI) president, Akhilesh Dasgupta threw the tournament open hoping it to be the 'best tournament of the world' in the upcoming years. He added "This being the Olympic year it was a challenge to bring so many players on board but at the end 60 shuttlers from around the world have come to India and the fans will love this event to the core."
"I am also grateful to all the franchises who have come forward and supported us in organising the event. Special thanks to Akshay Kumar who apart from being the owner of Mumbai Rockets is the brand ambassador of the event. He is not here today but tomorrow he will surely be present," Dasgupta added.
As the six teams (Delhi Acers, Awadhe Warriors, Mumbai Rockets, Chennai Smashers, Hyderabad Hunters, Bengaluru Topguns) did their lap of honour, Awadhe Warriors got the loudest cheer from the crowd simply because of their captain Saina Nehwal.
"This will be some great 16 days of badminton, the youngsters will benefit form this event and we will be able to test ourselves against the best players of the world," Saina said.
Chennai Smashers' star PV Sindhu was a bit disappointed as the event won't take place in Tamil Nadu this time. "Yes, it's sad that we won't be able to play before our home fans but we will give our best and try to win the coveted trophy," said Sindhu.
The host of the event, Mandira Bedi, referred to Hyderabad Hunters' captain Jwala Gutta as a 'superstar' and she gave a modest smile but soon came back to her deadly best attitude. "I am from Hyderabad and what more can I do other than to win this beautiful trophy for my franchise," pat came her answer.
Next up it was time for the queen of the Emerald Island, Jacqueline Fernandes to take the arena into her charm with some nerve tickling Bollywood numbers like 'Chittiyan Kalaiyan', 'Hangover' and 'Sooraj Duba Hai'. She left but the audience's thirst for entertainment was still not quenched so in came the melodious jodi of Salim-Sulieman. 'India zara halla machade', PBL's theme song, composed by the duo, was on their lips in a flash and the crowd was up on their feet. 'Aye Khuda', 'Kurban hua' -- you name it they kept on churning them. Perfect beginning to a world class event to say the least.
Wait, if you are thinking only soft tuned songs was the order of the day, think again because the brothers were shifting gears, "Ainvayi Ainvayi Lut Gaya' was their next presentation. The VIPs were a bit jittery at the start but when such a song is playing, how can some one stay rooted to their seats. Some 'goosebump' moments followed as Salim-Suleiman sang 'Chak de India' and ended the glitzy affair with the tournament theme song again.
Bollywood provided the perfect start to the gala, now the shuttle is the court of the shuttlers. Let's see what they do.
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