THE stage is set for the BKS-Optima Bahrain Open Badminton Clubs Championship, which gets underway on Wednesday.
The tournament, organised jointly by the Bahrain Badminton and Squash Federation (BBSF) and Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS), will be held at the BKS diamond jubilee hall.
The title sponsor of the event is Optima Home Appliances.
The draws and playing schedule of levels two and three were released at an official function conducted in the presence of representatives of the 18 participating teams recently.
Six squads from BKS, The Indian Club, Saudi Arabia and Kerala Catholic Association (KCA) are participating in level two; while 12 teams from BKS, The Indian Club, Saudi Arabia, Filipino Club, Indonesian Club, Pakistan Club and Alba Club are participating in level three
The six teams in level two have been split into two groups of three teams each. All the teams in a group will play against each other. A tie between two teams will consist of five matches, one Men’s Singles, three Men’s Doubles and one Mixed Doubles.
Qualify
The top two teams from both groups will qualify for the semi-final. The Indian Club and the Saudi teams have been seeded one and two, respectively, in level two.
The 12 teams in level three have been split into four groups of three teams each. All the teams in a group will play against each other. The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the quarter-finals.
The quarter-final draw for level three will be conducted after the league matches are completed. The top four seeded teams in level three are the Smashers, The Indian Club, Saudi Arabia and Al Makeena.
Level two and three matches will begin at 7.30 pm on Wednesday after the opening ceremony.
Level ONE matches involving SIX teams from Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia will commence on June 27, at 7.30pm.
Each team in level one is allowed two players from outside the GCC. Many professional players from India such as Sai Praneeth, Sanave Thomas, Akshay Dewalkar, Nandagopal, V Diju, Aneesh K A and Alwin Francis will be seen in action representing the six teams, apart from GCC champion Heri Setiawan and Arab champion Jaffer Ebrahim, who will both be representing the BBSF.
All badminton enthusiasts are welcome to watch the matches. Entry to the BKS is free to the public.