Indian Badminton League (IBL): Saina goes to Hyderabad Hotshots while Mumbai Masters grab Lee Chong Wei

IBL auctions were completed more or less on expected lines with Indian star Saina Nehwal getting highest price of $120,000 from Hyderabad Hotoshots while Chinese star Lee Chong Wei went to Mumbai Masters for $135,000.

Other notable deals were P Kashyap got $75,000 from Banga Beats (Bengaluru), Delhi Smashers got Jwala Gutta for just $31,000, Lucknow Warriors paid $80,000 for PV Sandhu and Pune Pistons won Ashwini Ponnappa for $25,000.

 Indian Badminton League (IBL) is a league proposed by Badminton Association of India (BAI) and its inaugural edition would be played between 14^th to 23^rd of August 2013. Currently, there are 6 franchises owned by various corporate.  

Saina Nehwal wins Denmark Open

India’s ace shuttler and Olympic Bronze medalist Saina Nehwal continued her good form by winning Denmark Open Super Series title. Sains who earlier defeated world No. 1 Wang Yihan in semi finals thrashed her German opponent Juilane Schenk in the finals to clinch the title.

Saina coming from two months break since Olympics was in supreme form in the finals which she won 21-17, 21-7 in just 35 minutes. The world No. 4 badminton player would certainly cherish this title mainly for her memorable win over Chinese opponent in semi-finals.

Saina Nehwal signed Rs 40 crore deal with Rhiti Sports

India’s top badminton player and Olympic Bronze medalist, Saina Nehwal, signed Rs. 40 crore ($7.2 million) deal with Sports Management Company – Rhiti Sports. As a part of 3 year deal, Rhiti Sports would exclusively manage Saina’s corporate profile, endorsements and brand associations, images, patents and digital rights, and other commercial rights.

Saina has become highest earning badminton player in the world after signing the deal with Rhiti Sports surpassing Olympic Gold medal winner Lin Dan from China who earns about Rs. 12.6 crore annually. With addition of Saina Nehwal, Rhiti Sports has expanded its esteemed clientele which includes Indian Cricket Team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.