Loading ...Awadhe Warriors
Franchise Owners: Sahara India Pariwar
Host Association: Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association (UPBA)
Host Stadium: Babu Banarsi Das UP Badminton Academy (BBD UPBA)
Launch their IBL Campaign: Aug 15; vs Hyderabad Hotshots
School Partner: La Martiniere Boys
Launch their IBL School Programme: July 12-14
ONE of the most multi-cultural cities in the world, Lucknow is also one of the finest nurseries for nurturing badminton players. Many people in the Awadh of yore still treat the sport as a family heirloom as they pass their passion from one generation to another. It’s been a remarkable journey for Lucknow badminton-lovers as they carry a sporting tradition with grace and then blend effortlessly with the latest avatar of badminton, the $1-million Indian Badminton League. The snazzy Babu Banarsi Das UP Badminton Academy (BBD UPBA), the hub for the sport in this region, is excited to host the Awadhe Warriors team in the IBL.
The BBD UPBA will host their leg of the IBL matches on August 26-27 and Lucknowites are cautioned to get ready to witness the most spectacular badminton show till now. Their team, Awadhe Warriors, however, launch their IBL campaign much earlier, against Pune Vijetas on August 14. The city of Nawabs is familiar to hosting top badminton players for prestigious international tournaments, starting from the first Asian Confederation Badminton Championship held in 1965 to the India Open Grand Prix Gold, which is a $120,000 international badminton tournament held at the BBD UPBA since 2009.
Awadhe Warriors will also be looking up for inspiration from one of the greatest Indian shuttlers, the late Syed Modi. An eight times National champion, Modi originally hailed from Gorakhpur but he honed his skills in Lucknow and walked into the limelight at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, where he clinched the men’s singles title. The city of Nawabs celebrates his memory each year by hosting the Syed Modi India Open Grand Prix Gold at BBD UPBA. Surely, the Awadhe Warriors would like to extend the city’s badminton legacy in the inaugural year of the IBL.
Around 50,000 school students are part of the IBL School Programe in 16 prestigious schools in Lucknow, led by ‘IBL School Partner’, La Martiniere Boys. These badminton-loving students will be egging onAwadhe Warriors to bring home the League title in the debut year.
Keep lauding and egging on the Awadhe Warriors!
Awadhe Warriors campaign schedule:
vs Hyderabad Hotshots – August 15
vs Banga Beats – August 18
vs Krrish Delhi Smashers – August 22
vs Mumbai Masters – August 24
vs Pune Pistons - August 26
IBL Sidelights
What to see: Historical sites – Bara Imambara, Chattar Manzil, Clock Tower, Bird Sanctuary
Where to shop: Aminabad, Hazratganj, Sahara Ganj, Janpath
What to eat: Awadhi cuisines, Mughlai, UP cuisines
