The Scorpions lift KDD – Kuwait Badminton League 2017 championship held at IBAK Gym, Salwa.

The KDD – Kuwait Badminton League 2017 was held on the 17th , 30th November and 1st December 2017 at IBAK Gym, Salwa. The Team Scorpions lifted the championship defeating Team Challengers 3-0 in the finals. The Scorpions remained unbeaten throughout the league. Team Challengers were the 1st runner up and Rainbow Archers and Royal Phoenix were the semifinalists.

The 2017 KDD KBL was inaugurated by Mr. V.V Subramanian VP -Business Integration KDD, in the presence of Dr Manimara Chozhan Chairman IBAK , Mr. Chandrahas K.T , General Secretary IBAK, Mr Mohammad Dhasthi Ex Director Ministry of Education and Mr. Gangadhar Shirsath, Principal ICSK Khaitan. While inaugurating Mr Subramanian stressed the need for healthy living which is in tune with the vision of KDD and reiterated the commitment of KDD on supporting badminton in Kuwait.

The 2017 league consisted of 6 teams and was played in a round robin/ Knockout format. Each tie had 5 matches , Singles , two open doubles, one advance doubles and a mixed doubles. Four teams out of six teams advanced into the knockout stage.

In the round robin stage Team scorpions beat Super Smashers (3-2), Rainbow Archers ( 3-2), The Challengers (3-2), Team Five star (3-2) and Royal Phoenix (5-0).

Team Challengers reached the knockout stage by winning 4 of their 5 league matches .They defeated Super Smashers, Royal Phoenix, Five Stars, and Rainbow Archers but lost to Team Scorpions.

In the finals The Scorpions players were in blistering form. Sarvesh Rajkumar Sailed past Aidan Anesh Mathew 21-11, 21-12, Yashin Bose and Sarin Joseph defeated Dr Manimara Chozhan and Murad Niyas 21-16 , 21-9 and Satheesh Kumar and Abin C Mathew overcame Allen Jose and Lijo Thomas 21-12, 21-15. The doubles team of Dharshan and Chris and the Mixed doubles team of Suresh Ramachandran and Deepa S kumar did not play as the tie was won 3-0

The winning Team The Scorpions – Yashin Bose ( Captain) , Abin C Mathew, Deepa S Kumar, Suresh Ramachandran, Sarin Joseph, Aqis Effendi, Pradeepan , Dharshan Kumar, Chris Sijo, Satheesh Kumar, Sarvesh Rajkumar, .

Runner Up –Team Challengers – Aneef K Latheef ( Captain ), Jesley Alex, Dr. Manimara Chozhan, Usman Ahmed, Vikas Singh, Murad Niyas, Allen Jose, Aiden Mathew, Liju Thomas , Srinivas Sugandh, Edwin , Jose Mathew.

Semifinalist – Royal Phoenix –Bader ( Captain ) Niyathi Pradeep, Bastian James Kanichay, Anto Joseph, Shamoon , Freddie Alexander, Manas Manoj, Sajeeve punnakkal,Erwin Mercardo, Basith bader, Mazahar, Bayis Bader.

Semifinalist – Rainbow Archers – Dr Tamer Rafat ( Captain) , Mona Tamer, Sanil Paul, Jithin , Saji, Allen Anesh Mathew, Mohammad Elkhayat, Relin, Arun MC, Pushkarraj, Binu P.D.

The Medals for the winners were given away by KBL core committee members , Mr. Ajaykumar Vasudevan , Mr. Ramesh P , Mr. Bibin Madhavan , Mr Ramesh Chandra, Mr Prasad Thandassery, Mr Siraj Mohammad and Mr Chandrahas K.T.

The Cash prizes were distributed by Mr. V.V Subramanian- VP Business Integration KDD.

KBL is the premier and only professional badminton league in Kuwait. Indian Badminton Association Kuwait (IBAK) in association with Kuwait Badminton federation (KBF) had conceived the idea of a league in 2015 and 2017 was the 3rd consecutive year in which the league is held. Kuwait Danish Diary (KDD) was the title sponsor of Kuwait Badminton League for all these 3 years these years

The players who participated in the 2017 edition represent a wide variety of nationalities and practices daily in various clubs across Kuwait. IBAK sincerely thank all the clubs who supported in this great venture which is regarded as the top most rated badminton tournament in Kuwait

KDD - KBL 2017 final teams standings–

1.THE SCORPOIONS - Winner

2.THE CHALLENGERS – 1st Runner up

3.RAINBOW ARCHERS – SEMIFINALISTS

4.ROYAL PHOENIX – SEMIFINALISTS

5.FIVE STARS

6.SUPER SMASHERS

Corporate Sponsors of KBL and its teams

Kuwait Badminton League 2017 title sponsor – Kuwait Danish Diary (KDD) – In line with its vision of “Wholesome Goodness” KDD came forward to support IBAK for the third consecutive year.

The Scorpions – Hydratight

Team Five Stars – Five Stars Company

Royal Phoenix – Stack group , Boltmaster Co , SheZone

Rainbow Archers – Himalaya Drug Company and Precon construction Company

Team Challengers – Lulu Hyper Market, Lulu Exchange , Multitech General trading and Construction Company, Alghanim Transportation logistics & Solution

Team Super Smashers – Al Ameed foodstuff Group, Triton MiddleEast, Al Mulla Group Automative Division.