Lucknow: Defending champion Saina Nehwal and current world champion Carolina Marin of Spain have confirmed their participation in the Syed Modi International Badminton Championship scheduled to start here on January 20.
The two have been seeded first and second respectively in USD 120,000 event being organized by Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association (UPBA) under the aegis of Badminton Association of India (BAI) at BBD UP Badminton Academy Gomti Nagar.
"It would quite exciting for fans to watch world's top two players in action in the city of Nawabs," UP Chief Secretary and President UP Badminton Association Alok Ranjan told reporters here.
"The presence of the two big stars in the women's singles category would be good enough to excite fans," Ranjan, who is also the president of the organising committee, added.
Organising and Tournament Secretary Vijai Sinha said that another Indian star PV Sindhu, who has been third seeded here, would be an added attraction to the category.
"Sindhu's presence would certainly make the field interesting for everyone," the Secretary General of Badminton Association of India said.
As per the draw released by Badminton World Federation, Saina would be playing her opening match against Malaysia's Yin Fun Lim, whereas Carolina will meet Indian shuttler Gadde Ruthvika Shivani in her first round match.
Top Indian shuttler K Srikanth, who is top seeded here, as well as the world championship bronze medalist Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, who is seeded second, would be the star attractions in the men's singles category.
The qualifying rounds will be played on January 20, whereas the main draw matches will take place from January 21.
The finals are slated to be played on January 25. Pencho Stoynov of Bulgaria has been named Chief Referee of the event, whereas Anthony Linggian of Malaysia would be his deputy.
The championships would be inaugurated by senior cabinet minister Shivpal Singh Yadav, whereas Food and Civil Supplies Minister Raghu Raj Pratap Singh Raja Bhaiyya Shri would be the guest of honour along with President BAI Akhilesh Das Gupta.
Prize distribution ceremony will be held on January 25 by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
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