KUWAIT CITY, June 20: The Indian Badminton Association – Kuwait (IBAK) honored the winners of their two recently-concluded competitions – the 2nd Open Badminton Tournament and the Two-Day Tournament – at the Qadsiya Complex, Friday. Hosted by Indu John, the ceremony opened with a speech from IBAK Secretary-Public Relations Sunil Moorkanat who welcomed the guests, sponsors and all attendees at the event and also introduced IBAK President Dr. Manimara Chozhan. Dr. Mani said he was very glad with the achievements of the organization as it had managed to successfully hold a number of competitions within the very short span of time since its launching early this year. He also acknowledged all the guests, supporters and participants for another successful competition while announcing that IBAK will be moving to another venue in the near future. This venue, he added , can be used not only over weekends but the weekdays as well.

The IBAK awarding ceremony was attended by Ajai Malhotra, the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Sula Al Naqeeb–Chief Innovation Officer and Dr. Savio Gomes – Executive Director from Al Homaizi Group, Bibi Al Qatami–Customer & Community Relations Manager from Al Kout Food Group (Al Kout Food Group is a subsidiary of the Al Homaizi Group). They were all presented flower bouquets and plaques of appreciation. A plaque was also given to Rashed Al Fadallah – CEO Taiba Hospital Group – who had some prior commitment and was not able to be present at the event. Dr. Mani accepted the recognition on his behalf.
IBAK officials also extended their gratitude to all their supporters – Mallika Gomes , Founding President of the Business Professional Women’s Group, Kuwait and Muriel Alphonso, President Indian Women’s League, Kuwait.
India Ambassador to Kuwait Ajai Malhotra and Dr. Manimara Chozhan IBAK President presented the awards to the Open Tournament winners as follows: Blue Tier Champions – Jabar Farooqui & Ravi and runners-up–Bader Kalliparambu & Noor Kalmatta. Red Tier Champions – Shyam Sadwani & Vijay and runners-up – Sajith & Unnikrishnan. Green Tier
Champions – Binal Markose & Sanu Thammaiah and runners-up–Sai Devanand & Ronnie Joseph.
Meanwhile, Sula Al Naqeeb, Chief Innovation Officer from Al Homaizi Group along with Dr. Mani presented the awards to the following: Yellow Tier Champions – Aun Foizen & Faiz Foizen, 1st Runners-up – Rajat Sawaria & Vivek Vaidyanathan and 2nd Runners-up – two pairs namely Aparna & Karthika and Uma Maheshwari & Antony. Orange Tier Champion – Rishan Rai, 1st Runner-up Sai Balagopal and 2nd Runners-up – two players: Neha and Nithin.
To encourage the players of the Orange Tier (Beginners) – which mostly sees the participation of young children – Dr. Mani, who called them the future of IBAK, along with Muriel Alphonso – President Indian Women’s League, Kuwait presented medals to some of them. The ones who were honored included Anirudha, Nikhil, Aravind, Sayooj, Johann, Sai Krishna, Danish Contractor and Anzeem Arief.
Dr. Savio Gomes, Executive Director of Al Homaizi Group, along with some IBAK officials Chandra, Mathew and Faheem presented awards to the following two-day tournament winners: Blue Tier –Jabar Farooqui & Amith Balakrishnan; Red Tier –Binal Markose & Sanu Thammaiah; Green Tier
Sai Devanand & Lekha and Yellow / Orange Tier –Priya Ullas & Sai Balagopal
India Ambassador to Kuwait Ajai Malhotra said “I am very happy that IBAK has conducted a tournament like this one which encourages badminton players of all levels – women, men, young girls and boys– to take part in the competition”.
He added that he was also glad that members of the IBAK community had grown from 150 to 400 members within a very short time.” According to my conversation with Dr. Mani IBAK will be moving to another venue – Bayan Complex – which will encourage the Indian community to gather every weekend and during the week to take part in sports”. He also assured the IBAK organizers that his office will give all the possible support that the organization needs. He then wished everyone nice summer holidays.
The ceremony with the singing of the India National Anthem.
IBAK President Dr. Mani Chozhan also acknowledged the upcoming support of Western Union Money Transfer thru Vangie Gernale for their future tournaments.
Awards Recipients:
Open Tournament
Blue Tier
Champion Jabar Farooqui & Ravi
Runnerup Bader Kalliparambu
& Noor Kalmatta
Red Tier
Champion Shyam Sadwani & Vijay
Runner-up Sajith & Unnikrishnan
Green Tier
Champion Binal Markose & Sanu Thammaiah
Runners-up Sai Devanand & Ronnie Joseph
Yellow Tier
Champion Aun Foizen & Faiz Foizen
1st Runner-up Rajat Sawaria & Vivek Vaidyanathan
2nd Runner-up Aparna & Karthika
Uma Maheshwari & Antony
Orange Tier
Champion Rishan Rai
1st Runner-up Sai Balagopal
2nd Runner-up Neha
Nithin
Two Day Tournament Winners
Blue Tier Jabar Farooqui & Amith Balakrishnan
Red Tier Binal Markose & Sanu Thammaiah
Green Tier Sai Devanand & Lekha
Yellow/Orange Tier Priya Ullas & Sai Balagopal
IBAK organizers have announced that their upcoming Open Tournament will start on 2nd July.
The competition will be held over a period of 5 to 6 weeks depending on the number of contenders and will be based in the following categories:
1) Blue Tier (Professional level)
2) Red Tier (Higher level)
3) Green Tier (Transition level)
4) Yellow Tier. There will be no separate entries for Orange tier.
However, if a large number of individuals sign up for the tournament a separate event will be held for the following classes:
1) Ladies
2) Mixed Doubles
3) Veteran's (Age 50 and above).
Entry fee for each class is as follows: 2KD for premium and associate members, 5KD for affiliate members and 7KD for guest members.
Registrations will close on July 23, 2010. Late entries will not be entertained. For registration, contact the following numbers 99598319, 94063698 or email: ibakwt@yahoo.com.
IBAK would like to thank their chief sponsor Kout Food Group and associate sponsor Taiba Hospital for their support.