PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship-Season 2 in Mumbai – Battle of Stamina and Skill begins

15-Dec-15,

• Kick-starts West Zone tournament after finishing north zone
• Over 1200 entries received for West zone tournament; three-fold increase from last year
• Over 1900 participants in the North Chapter
• Matches to be held under 5 categories: U-9, U-11, U-13, U-15 and U-17 for both boys and girls
• Strengthens CSR program: hosts training camps to identify potential talent among underprivileged children and coach them for participation

Mumbai, December 15, 2015: PNB MetLife India, one of India’s leading life insurance companies and SARA FOUNDATION (An organisation for the promotion of sports), bring the coveted National PNB MetLifeJunior Badminton Championship (JBC)- Season 2 to Mumbai. Starting from December 15th, the Mumbai tournament will be played at the Goregaon Sports Club with the finals scheduled on December 18, 2015.Over 1200 participants have registered for matches in west India, displaying huge excitement and response among the young shutters. The tournament has been approved by BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF INDIA (BAI) and is being conducted with support from Maharashtra Badminton Association.

This noble initiative is being conducted by PNB MetLife and SARA Foundation to promote grass-root level sports across the country.

The inaugural event in Mumbai was attended by stalwarts including Mrs. Ami Ghia Shah - Arjuna Awardee & former International player graced the occasion as the Chief Guest along with Mr. Arun Lakhani, President, Maharashtra Badminton Association as the Guest of Honour and dignitaries like Mr. Pradeep Gandhe, Vice President, Maharashtra Badminton Association.

The Mumbai tournament will witness nail-biting matches where young and talented shuttlers will fight it out for the top positions. The winners of the Mumbai tournament will enter the National Finals of the championship. The excitement levels will soar as ranking players from across India are expected to participate in the tournament. The matches will be played in 5 categories - U-9, U-11, U-13, U-15 and U-17 (the new addition) for both boys and girls. Every city will select top four kids from each category and they will qualify for grand finale.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Niraj Shah, Director- Strategy, Marketing and Product, PNB MetLife, said, “We are back with second season of PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship to Mumbai. The north leg has been successfully closed with over 1900 children participating. Similarly, for Mumbai matches, we have received tremendous response with registration of over 1200 from enthusiastic young badminton players. There is a three-fold increase in entries this year. As the tournament grows much in scale in its second season, we will continue to provide all possible support from the company to promote the budding players. The top players from the Mumbai tournament will compete in the National Finals in March 2016. We appreciate SARA Foundation for taking the lead to promote innovative practices in Indian sports and at the grass-root level.”

Ashish Kumar, Director, Sara Foundationsaid, “The North Zone tournament was completed successfully with exhilarating response from the participants. We are sure that the West Zone leg will be even more exciting. With support from PNB MetLife, we will spot top talent in Badminton sport and provide them with a platform to showcase their skills. Sara Foundation remains committed to promote sports and Mumbai tournament will further strengthen our mission.”

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Arun Lakhani, President, Maharashtra Badminton Association said, “ We are delighted with the efforts of PNB MetLife and Sara Foundation to promote badminton at a grassroot level. Our best wishes for a successful PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship in our Mumbai city. We have seen great response from the young shuttlers and we are happy to be associated with this tournament. Best of luck to all participants.”

After Mumbai, the league is set to get under way in Lucknow, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Guwahati. The feat would shift back to Delhi for the semi-finals and finals starting March 30, 2016. Ten children and sixteen underprivileged children across different age-groups will win scholarships for training in a reputed Badminton Academy.

For more information & registration one can visit www.healthforhappiness.in

About PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited,

PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) is a joint venture between MetLife International Holdings Inc. (MIHI), Punjab National Bank Limited (PNB), Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited (JKB), M. Pallonji and Company Private Limited and other private investors, with MIHI and PNB being the majority shareholders. PNB MetLife was previously known as MetLife India Insurance Company Limited and has been present in India since 2001.

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For more information, visit www.pnbmetlife.com

About Sara Foundation

Sara foundation is deeply engaged in scouting and promoting sports talent throughout the country. In recent times, the organization has been identifying many sports prodigies (Boys/Girls) and has been providing sustainable support to many young sports talent in the country.

Sara Foundation has designed a series of regional and national level sports activities in India for school children to help them participate and develop a SPORTS CULTURE. After winning many successes & accolades in recent times, now the organization is all geared to organize the much awaited national tournament- ‘PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) 2016’.