April 20, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 13, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 19: The 51st National Badminton Championship starts in the federal capital from Monday.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Islamabad Badminton Association (IBA) President Zafar Iqbal Ghondal said over two hundred players would be participating in the event.

Meanwhile, the prize money of the tournament has been increased from Rs300,000 to Rs500,000.

The Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) has allotted the 51st National badminton championship to the IBA.

He said teams from Punjab, NWFP, Sindh, Balochistan, Fata, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, Higher Education Commission, National Bank, New Khan, Railways, PIA, Pakistan Military Accounts and Karachi Port Trust would take part in the event.

The IBA president said team events, men’s singles, men’s doubles, ladies team event, ladies singles, ladies doubles, mixed doubles, veteran singles, veteran doubles would be contested during the seven-day championship.

Ahsan Qamar and Ayesha would defend their men’s and women’s singles titles respectively.

Uzma and Asma Butt are women doubles defending champions.

Meanwhile, the New Khan Sports Board announced a six-member team for the championship.