Following reports that top shuttlers including world no. 1 Lee Chong Wei might miss out on the Indian Badminton League, the organisers on Saturday confirmed the participation of international stars from China, Malaysia and Indonesia among others.
The organisers said as many as 17 nations including China and Indonesia have confirmed to release their players for the $1 million event.
Earlier, the postponement of the players’ auction to July 19 had raised concerns over the 18-day event, beginning on August 14.
Said the organisers: “The IBL has already received confirmation from top shuttlers from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and China in addition to 12 other leading badminton nations.”
According to a release from the organisers: world no. 7 and the winner of the recent Singapore Open, Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto will lead the star parade from his country, along with Sony Kuncoro and Lindaweni Fanetri, who are men’s world no. 10 and women’s world no. 11, respectively.
Lee along will world no. 4 Boonsak Ponsana from Thailand and Vietnam’s Tien Minh Nguyen are also set to go under the hammer at the players auction, the release added.