Tapasee breaks ice with fans to seek support for Pune 7 Aces

PUNE: ShaPune: Bollywood actress Tapasee Pannu on Monday sought unstinted support from badminton fans from the city where the shuttle sport apparently originated some 100 years ago during the British Raj when she launched Pune 7 Aces, the ninth team in the cash-rich Premier Badminton League in her first foray as team owner in the IPL style franchise league that has seen many from the film industry dabble in over the past few years.

The Delhi-born Tapasee, who claimed she was always a sportperson and badminton was her first choice sport during her growing up days, mingled with fans and even played two exhibition matches before discussing what she expected from her team.

Five Indian players in the team--Ajay Jayaram, World Junior Champion Lakshya Sen, Chirag Shetty, Prajakta Sawant and coach Anand Pawar--were by her side to lend support to her during the pre-season launch ceremony of the team at Phoenix Market City Mall.

“I feel I can take theleague to a new level it deserves. Indian badminton has attained great height and such kind of an effort needs to be supplemented,” she said.

Hopes on Carolina
With World Champion Carolina Marin of Spain in the team, debutant Pune 7 Aces are hoping to start the league on a strong note with the league begins in Mumbai on December 22.

“Though full team will come together only 4-5 days before the start of the league we have planned team building sessions ahead of our matches in Mumbai,” informed Anand Pawar when asked how he has planned training when entire team comes together.

While all the team players were of the opinion that Bengaluru team was strongest among the lot, but “on a given day any team can win considering the format of the league”, said Pawar, who said he would be very cautious in using the trump cards during the league as one player could be used only twice over.

PUNE 7 ACES BECOMES 9TH TEAM IN PBL
- Doubles Ace Mathias Boe of Denmark to lead the Pune7Aces team.
- Pune7Aces to start their campaign against Hyderabad Hunters in Mumbai on December 22.
- Pune 7 Aces squad:
- Men’s Singles: Lakshya Sen, Ajay Jayaram, Brice Leverdez
- Women’s Singles: Carolina Marin, Line Kjaersfeldt
- Men’s Doubles: Mathias Boe, Vladimir Ivanov, Chirag Shetty
- Mixed Doubles: Prajakta Sawant
Team coach: Anand Pawar