Pune: A whopping 1100 players will vie for top honours in the 57th National Schools Badminton Championship, which begins at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Mhalunge-Balewadi here from January 10 to 13.
The event is being organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, under the auspecies of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI).
The championship has attracted participation from thirty states which is by far the biggest number to have ever been hosted. Competition will be held in three age-groups — Under-14, Under-17 and Under-19 for boys and girls respectively who will fight it out for team and individual honours.
The first two days of the meet will witness competition for team honours, while the next to will be for individual honours.
Twelve courts have been set up within the ultra-modern badminton complex for the conduct of the competition.
Former India and Pune’s very own ace shuttler Nikhil Kanetkar will declare the tournament open on Tuesday at 11.00 am.