Team 5.30 defend KBL title two times in a row; ISA settle for runner-up
The Indian Badminton Association Kuwait (IBAK) successfully conducted the 8th edition of Kuwait Badminton League at its Salwa Gym (Saad Al Awzi School) on 26th ,27th Oct and 3rd Nov 2023. Team 5.30 were victorious for the 2nd consecutive year. Team ISA turned runner-up, while the journey of USC and Royal Stars were ended in the semi-finals.
In a hard-fought Final, Team 5.30 edged Team ISA (3-2). The competition offered a visual treat for the spectators while top class players showcased their talents.
During the final battle while Team ISA took lead by winning the Professional Men’s Doubles, Team 5.30 leveled the score by winning the Open Men’s Doubles. The third match of the final tie, the Advance Men’s Doubles was won by Team ISA. Team 5.30 fought back to win the Above 50 Men’s doubles. Team 5.30 sealed victory by winning the decider match of the tie, the Mixed Doubles.
IBAK KDD KBL is the premier and only professional badminton league in Kuwait. Indian Badminton Association Kuwait (IBAK) had conceived the idea of a league in 2015, and this was the 8th consecutive year in which the league was held. Kuwait Danish Diary (KDD) was the title sponsor of the Kuwait Badminton League for all these years.
The KDD KBL 2023 prize distribution was done by by V.V. Subramanian VP, Business Integration KDD, in the presence of Dr Manimara Chozhan – Chairman IBAK, Aneesh Abraham – President IBAK along with other IBAK committee members.
During his speech, 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. He also iterated that KDD is planning for something special in the 10th edition of KBL.
Top 98 players who practice across different clubs in Kuwait were auctioned into 6 different teams during the second week of October 2018. KDD-KBL was a fantastic opportunity for players where senior/international players of Kuwait helped and played with junior players and the experiences and expertise was shared across the board
The KDD KBL 2023 consisted of 6 teams -Thanjai Ninjas, Team 5.30, USC, KKR, Royal Stars and ISA. Each tie had 5 matches, 1 Professional Men’s Doubles, 1 Open Men’s Doubles, 1 advanced Men’s Doubles, 1 Above 50 Men’s Doubles and a Mixed Doubles.
The tournament was much applauded by Badminton lovers of Kuwait for presenting world class quality games. Chairman of IBAK, Dr.Manimara Chozhan thanked IBAK’s members, tournament organizing committee, badminton lovers of Kuwait, Players and teams participated in the tournament and our sponsors for making the tournament a grand success.
IBAK is committed to improve to badminton in Kuwait. As part of this efforts, IBAK will be concluding the year 2023 by conducting inter school badminton tournament in the month of December. IBAK can be reached on www.ibakwt.org or [email protected]