Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal is set to lead the team North Eastern Warriors in the Season 4 of Premier Badminton League (PBL) which starts in Maharashtra on Saturday.
The team’s home ground is Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium, Guwahati.
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The nine teams – Delhi Dashers, Ahmedabad Smash Masters, Awadhe Warriors, Bengaluru Raptors, Mumbai Rockets, Hyderabad Hunters, Chennai Smashes, North Eastern Warriors and debutantes Pune 7 Aces – would be fighting for the PBL trophy.
The 23-day extravaganza will be played across five venues – Mumbai, Hyderabad Pune, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru.
The responsibility of Saina will be more as she will be leading a team comprising promising youngsters from the North Eastern Warriors. “This PBL, I am playing for a new team and looking forward it. It’s a great opportunity for me to not only get associated with the Warriors as well as connect with the fans from the Northeast. Also, this will be the first tournament after my marriage, hence it is special,” said the 2012 Olympic bronze medal winner.
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CEO of North East Warriors (NEWs) Bamang Tago, who interacted with the officials and players of the NEWs said he was confident of winning the PBL trophy this time under the captaincy of Saina.
“The North Eastern Warriors are all set to fight it out for the top honour,” he said, adding that sports fraternities of the region, particularly the badminton lovers, are keenly waiting for the PBL to witness the action of team NEWs.
Top international stars, including Olympic and World champion Carolina Marin of Spain and India’s Rio Olympics silver medallist PV Sindhu, will be seen in action in the PBL, featuring 90 players from 17 countries, reports The Arunachal Times.
North Eastern Warriors team lineup: Saina Nehwal (Capt), Tanongsak Saensomb-oonsuk, Tian Houwei, Siril Verma, Rituparna Das, Yoo Yeon Seong, Liao Min Chun, Dhruv Kapila, Kim Ha Na, and Kukkapalli Maneesha.
The third edition of the Premier Badminton League took place in Guwahati.