PNB MetLife championship sets new world record

Hyderabad: PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) has once again etched its name in sporting history by creating a spectacular world record.

Recognised by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA), the 7th edition of the PNB MetLife JBC has achieved title of the ‘most kids participating in a Badminton Championship in multiple cities’ surpassing its own record that it set in 2022.

The final leg of the 7th edition of the 'PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) 2023' culminated at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, where numerous Badminton champions emerged victorious in five different categories for the Delhi chapter of JBC.

This noteworthy feat underscores the ever-increasing popularity of the PNB MetLife JBC and its unwavering commitment to nurturing young talents in the sport of badminton. The 7th edition of the championship, spanning 10 cities across India, witnessed the highest-ever pool of over 8,257 participants, highlighting the passion for badminton among the diverse and passionate young audience in the country.

Asian Games Gold Medalist and mentors of JBC 2023, Chirag Shetty & Satwik Rankireddy graced the event as the Chief Guests along with Ashish Srivastava, MD & CEO, PNB MetLife Insurance, Sameer Bansal, Chief Distribution Officer of PNB MetLife Insurance, Sourabh Lohtia, Head of Marketing, PNB MetLife and Ameeta Sinh, President, Delhi Capital Badminton Association.

Ashish Kumar Srivastava, MD and CEO, PNB MetLife, said, “As we celebrate the successful culmination of the 7th edition of PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship, we take pride in surpassing our own world record for highest participation and for being recognized by World Record Certification Agency. Beyond the records, JBC represents a significant milestone in our mission to lay the groundwork for India's glory and success on the international badminton stage by creating a pan-India badminton ecosystem that nurtures champions at the grassroots level.”

Sameer Bansal, Chief Distribution Officer of PNB MetLife, said: “This year has been especially remarkable for PNB MetLife JBC as we joined hands with world champions Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy as JBC Mentors for the young talents associated with this tournament. They have played a pivotal role in inspiring young shuttlers to dream big and elevate their game and skills. We are eager for the next edition to unfold in our journey of unveiling the latent badminton potential across our nation and preparing them for global excellence.”

Asian Games Gold Medalist & JBC 2023 mentor Satwiksairaj Rankireddy expressed his delight, stating, “Tournaments like the PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship serve as an invaluable platform for nurturing and harnessing the potential of our country's young badminton stars. Witnessing the enthusiasm, passion, and skill displayed by these emerging shuttlers reinforces the belief that our country has an immense reservoir of talent".

My association as a JBC mentor has been a source of immense pride, particularly given the role that the championship is playing in creating an incredible platform that is serving as a powerful catalyst, empowering young shuttlers and bolstering their confidence to become future champions, he added.