Hubballi: The
Gymkhana Club of Hubballi will organize
Gymkhana Premier League (GPL), a
badminton tournament, from Saturday. The fourth season of GPL will be dedicated to the noble cause of "
Save Girl Child" campaign. Inspired by Karnataka Premier League, Pro Kabaddi, the club launched GPL on the lines of
Indian Badminton League in 2014.
The final of GPL 4 will be held on February 10.
Jagadish Kalyanshettar, secretary, Gymkhana Club and GPL 4 convener, said that four teams — Lethal Legends, Nimbie Nikers, Shreyas Shuttlers and 8 PM — will feature in the tournament. The teams are owned by regular badminton players at the Gymkhana. Each team will have 15 players, including two women. Matches will be played only on Saturdays and Sundays. Seven matches will be played in a day. Various prizes will be distributed on each day.
Noted players like Rishab Sutagattimath, Ajith Javali, Sheetal Gotadaki, Dr Yogi Datta, Shantala Madiman, Koustub Sounshikar, Ajay Shiggaon and Shihab feature in the tournament. The players also include businessmen, hoteliers, engineers, advocates, doctors, industrialists and government employees.
Deeba Malagi, said that she is happy to feature in this season's GPL as it is spreading awareness on saving the girl child.
Roopa Shiggaon, another badminton player, said the campaign "Save Girl Child" is need of the hour. Along with sports, there is a need to spread good things in the society," she said.
Krishnamurthy Uchilla, organizing committee member, said Kamala Siddi, who participated in Special Area Games in more than six countries, has been invited to the inauguration. Devappa More of the district who bagged gold and silver medals in 100m and 200m at the 2017 World Dwarf Games in Canada has also been invited to the inauguration ceremony.
