IBL 2: Sahara retains Lucknow, ICS bags Delhi franchise

Corporate giant Sahara India Pariwar retained their ownership of Lucknow, while Infinite Computer Solutions (ICS) will be the new owners of Delhi franchise in the second edition of the Indian Badminton League scheduled to held in January next year. Badminton Association of India, which is organising the lucrative event this time alongwith marketing partner Sportzlive, has set the ball rolling for a bigger and better IBL next year. Five franchises have already confirmed participation so far. [caption id=“attachment_2258054” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Saina Nehwal. File photo: PTI[/caption] “The preparation for the IBL second season is going very well and we are on the right track. Till now 5 franchisee have confirmed and we will reveal all very soon,” BAI president Akhilesh Das Gupta said. “Presently, I can share Lucknow and Delhi franchisees’ owners name as the former is my hometown and later is the place where I stay. Lucknow owners are Sahara and Delhi franchisee owners are Infinite Computer Solutions. Rest we will unveil soon,” he added. In 2013, Krrish Group was the owner of Delhi Smashers, while Awadhe Warriors – the Lucknow based franchise – was bagged by Sahara and they will continue their association this time too. After a break of two year, the BAI has decided to go ahead with the cash-rich event which will be held across six cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. The Chennai team will replace Pune Pistons, which was owned by Dabur India Limited in the first edition. The inaugural edition of IBL, which was hosted by BAI in collaboration with commercial partners Sporty Solutionz in 2013, was a grand success and this time the BAI has promised to increase the glamour quotient with many Bollywood celebrities joining the league. The Indian body has also roped in event management company Evolution Sports to help them conduct the tournament, which will see players getting more money this year because BAI is planning to increase the salary pool from the existing Rs 1.5 crore cap. The IBL had its share of delays with the first auctions going through multiple postponements from June 30, 2013 to July 19, 2013 to finally being conducted on July 22. Similarly, the second edition were initially announced for September-October 2014 and then postponed to January-February 2015, before finally scheduling it in first fortnight of January next year. PTI