LAHORE, Jan 20: The prize amount of the 49th National badminton championship has been increased to Rs 150,000 from Rs 120,000. The event is being held at Iqbal Park Sports Complex from Jan 24 to 31.

Pakistan Badminton Federation secretary, Aamir Hayat Khan Rokhri, claimed on Friday that the amount was higher than the previous prize amount allocated for the national championship.

Omar Zeeshan and Ayesha Akram will defend the men’s and women’s titles while Wapda will defend both men’s and women’s team events titles.

Besides Wapda, the other affiliated units of the PBF which are taking part are Army, Railways, PMAD, National Bank, New Khan, PIA, HEC, four provinces, Islamabad, Fata and AJK.

Around 200 players will feature in the weeklong event. The secretary said that three rubber courts would be used to hold the matches.

He said that New Khan Sports Board would host the competition and it was the first time a department would hold the national championship.