The Bollywood stars played a game against PV Sindhu, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa
New Delhi, 18th January 2016: The Star Sports Premier Badminton League 2016 concluded with a huge fan-fare and celebration wherein Bollywood Super-stars - Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh played a game of badminton against the Badminton super-stars - PV Sindhu, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa - during the Finals on Sunday, 17th January 2016 at DDA Badminton & Squash Stadium, Siri Fort in New Delhi.
The Chief Guest of the Closing Ceremony of the Star Sports PBL 2016 was Hon'ble Shri Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Home Affairs, who inaugurated the ceremony and wished good luck to both the Teams – Delhi Acers and Mumbai Rockets - before the Finale.
Star Sports PBL Brand Ambassador Akshay Kumar, also Mumbai Rockets co-owner, along with Bollywood actors Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh played badminton against India’s best women players - Sindhu, Jwala and Ashwini, which received huge applause from the packed stadium. ‘Khiladi’ Akshay Kumar, Jr. Bachchan and Riteish played a 8-point game against the women’s troika in front of the sport-loving crowd, who saw an unforgettable opportunity to see their superstars playing a popular sport.
Abhishek Bachchan is also known as a Sports entrepreneur and is credited to own the franchisee of the Jaipur Pink Panthers in Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League and even the Co-Owner of Chennaiyin FC in Hero Indian Super League was seen enjoying his match thoroughly and was seen even entertaining the crowd by coaxing them to support him.
While this was the celebrity entertainment that the spectators got a view of they were even entertained with nail biting matches between Delhi Acers and Mumbai rockets. Each match was well contested amongst the players as they showcased what is it to play the finals and that winning on each other was no easy walk.
After the Finale, Loksabha MP Shri Jagdambika Pal and Akshay Kumar awarded the best performers of the Star Sports PBL 2016. Russian Vladmir Ivanov of Mumbai Rockets received the award for the ‘Fastest Smash of the League’ - 415 KMPH, while India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal of Awadhe Warriors was awarded for her ‘Fastest Smash (Female)’ of 361 KMPH. Malaysian duo Keat Kien and Tan Boon Heaong of the champion Team Delhi Acers was awarded for the ‘Longest Rally of the League' of 91 shots.
Indonesian Tommy Sugiarto of Delhi Acers, who remained unbeaten through-out the League, and India’s leading women shuttler PV Sindhu of Chennai Smashers, were awarded as the ‘Most Valuable Players of the Tournament’. The Champion Team Delhi Acers received the award for the ‘Most Vibrant Team’ of the Star Sports PBL 2016.
The winning team took home a cheque of Rs. 3 crores, the team in the second position got a cheque of Rs. 2 crore and the third & fourth positioned team took home a cheque of Rs. 75 lakh each. While the Champions, Delhi Acers picked up a beautiful Gold Trophy the runner-up team of the League, Mumbai Rockets took the Silver trophy. Besides this, each player from the winning team was awarded with a gold medal, while the players of Mumbai Rockets were given Silver medals.
Speaking on the star-studded Closing Ceremony, Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta, President BAI & Chairman PBL said, “It was a grand evening where the Badminton super stars of the Star Sports PBL 2016, Brand Ambassador, Bollywood Superstars and huge badminton-loving crowd gathered together to celebrate the sport. I am grateful to our Hon’ble Union Minister for Home Affairs, Shri Rajnath Singh, who managed to find some time from his busy schedule to come and motivate the players. I am also very thankful to Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh for attending the ceremony, playing a game of badminton which I am sure the crowd as well as viewers will cherish for days to come. I wish we all will see the same fan-fare next season with more elements to celebrate Badminton and the League.”
The Star Sports Premier Badminton League concluded on 17th January 2016, where Delhi Acers won the title after beating Mumbai Rockets in New Delhi.
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