Mysore:  The Karnataka State Badminton Championship-2014 was inaugurated at the Chamundi Vihar Indoor Sports Complex here  by former Indian badminton player Prakash Padukone. The event will be held upto August 10.

Speaking exclusively to News Karnataka, Prakash Padukone who has the credit of being  the first Indian to win the All England Championship said, “I am pleased that Parupalli Kashyap won the gold medal in men’s singles badminton at the Commonwealth Games 2014.”

Indian players need to be motivated so that they can excel in  Olympics and Asian games. There are several regional and national level players who play extremely well. They must be encouraged  at international events like  Commonwealth  games, he added.

He also stressed the need for good facilities and infrastructure for sportspersons in every state.

Appreciating the holding of tournaments through IPL, KPL etc; Padukone said such leagues encourage the players and give them an opportunity to expose their talent at the national level.

The matches are being played on the imported synthetic courts under various age group categories those are; U-13 Boys/Girls – Singles/ Doubles; U-15 – Boys/Girls – Singles/Doubles; U-17 – Boys/Girls – Singles/ Doubles; U-19 – Boys/Girls – Singles/ Doubles; Open Men’s/Women’s mixed doubles; Veterans 45+, Singles /Doubles.

More than 1500 badminton players from across the State  and also international players who have represented the state, are participating in this event.