SHILLONG: Shillong is all set to host a full strength India badminton squad during the 12th South Asian Games being co-hosted by the city from February 5-16.
President Badminton Association of India and Chairman of the Games Technical Conduct Committee, Akhilesh Das Gupta on Wednesday released the Indian Badminton squad for the South Asian Games.
The likes of World No 2 Saina Nehwal and World No 9 Kidambi Srikanth will spearhead India’s campaign in the badminton event which will be held in Shillong from February 6-10.
Double World Championship bronze medallist PV Sindhu and 2014 Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap, HS Prannoy, Ajay Jayaram, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa  among others have also been named the squad and are expected to be seen in action during the multinational event to be held at the NEHU, SAI Special Area Games.
The coming of the top stars is certain to give a boost to the SAG which is being held for the first time in the North East.
State badminton association sources said there is already an excitement surrounding the entire event which is likely to draw crowd from within the state and the entire North East.
Meanwhile, the release added that the team championship for men and women will be held on league basis on February 6 and 7 while the semi finals will be held on February 8 forenoon and finals in the evening.
The individual events— men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles and mixed doubles— will be held on February 9 and 10.
The medals ceremony will be held on the evening of February 10.
Eight men’s teams and seven women’s teams are participating in the team event. This is the first time in the history of South Asian Games that all participating teams are playing the badminton event.
Pullela Gopichand, national chief coach, is expected to arrive on February 5 for inauguration of the 12th SAG.

Badminton test event concludes

Meanwhile, the badminton test event concluded at the NEHU, SAI, Special Area Games centre here on Wednesday.
Maini Boruah of Assam beat Suzen Burhagohain also from the same state to emerge winner in the girls’ singles event.
In boys’ singles final, Kh Manjit Singh of Manipur beat Chandrajit Singh from the same state.
Meghalaya, meanwhile, lost to Manipur in the boys’ doubles final. Manipur’s Dingku Singh and Manjit Singh beat Meghalaya’s Rituraj Nag and Mebanker Shullai.
The girls’ doubles final was an all Arunachal affair with Pinky Karki and Laa Yajum beating Y Mopi and Taring Yania of the same state.
In the team event, Arunachal beat Assam in the girls’ category while Manipur beat Assam in the boys’ category.

Squad

Men’s singles:
Parupalli Kashyap
Kidambi Srikanth
HS Prannoy
Ajay Jayaram
Women’s singles:
Saina Nehwal
PV Sindhu
Ruthvika Shivani
PC Thulasi
Men’s doubles:
Manu Atri\Sumeeth Reddy
Pranaav Jerry Chopra\ Akshay Dewalkar
Women’s doubles:
Jwala Gutta\Ashwini Ponnappa
Sikki Reddy\K Maneesha
Coaches:
Tan Kim Her
Vijaydeep Singh
Amrish Shinde
Ravikanth Singla