The best in the world of badminton including the likes of world number one Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia and Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei will make India their next stop as the best Asia and the best of Europe battle it out along with a hungry Indian field at the USD 150,000 Yonex Sunrise India Open 2007 to be held in Hyderabad.
The tournament, to be played from September 4-9, is a Grand Prix Gold Level 3 tournament and the organisers are confident it will become an annual feature. They also believe it would graduate to a World Series Event in the coming few years.
V K Verma, president of the Badminton Association of India, said hosting the tournament would also help raise the profile of the sport in the country.
"It is important that we take the game to the next level in the country. There has been a concerted effort towards doing that and Hyderabad will be a apt setting the some of the best in the country to play the bet in the world," Verma said.
Two former All England champions -- Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand -- also lent their support to the tournament.
"It is vital that India hosts an event like this in order to raise the stature of the game. The game as well as the players will get a big boost which can only help the sport", said Padukone.
National coach Gopichand was also full of positives saying, "Last year was quite a good year for Indian Badminton with the success of Saina Nehwal and decent performances by the likes of Anup Shridhar."
He believes that hosting such big tournaments coupled with advancement in coaches and coaching facilities, India could soon dish out top international stars in badminton.
"There have always been a large number of people playing the sport in the country. With better coaching and exposure there are bound be a number of good players being produced," said Gopichand.
