Prakash Padukone likely for IBF Council

Meanwhile, the Badminton Association of India, in a trail-blazing move, has decided to conduct a National-level tournament for boys and girls in the under-10 age-group, in Bangalore, next month.

Prakash said that besides the under-10 event, competitions will be held in theunder-13 and 16 categories also. The tournament will offer a total prize-money of Rs 75,000 with sponsorship from Quality Biscuits, Bangalore.

“The under-10 event will be the first of its kind in India and we plan to expand the base by having a zonal level competition followed by a National championship,” said Prakash, who was here on invitation by the International Management Group to witness the final stages of the Gold Flake Open tennis tournament.

Though the BAI annually conducts National championships at junior, sub-junior and Mini levels, the under-10 event, Prakash hoped, would throw up talent which could then be nurtured.

As regards the Grand Prix tournament, to be held in Bangalore, in October, Prakash said the BAI was exploring the possibility of having a tie-up with the IMG. In this connection, his visit to the Gold Flake Open was an eye-opener, he said.

“I saw for myself how a major international event is being promoted and conducted. Of course, at the moment, it is still too early tosay anything definitive. We have to work on quite a few details, including sponsorship, prize-money, etc.,. Hopefully, we will finalise everything in the coming months,” Prakash said.

As regards the recent performances of National champions P Gopi Chand and Aparna Popat, Prakash expressed the need to provide the pair more international exposure.

“We plan to make them play at least 10 to 14 international tournaments in a year. I think that will provide them experience and boost their confidence apart from earning them valuable ranking points,” he pointed out.