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It is too early to compare IBL with IPL: Saina
Considering the grand success of the inaugural IBL that has put a halo around Indian badminton, ace shuttler Saina Nehwal says the franchise-based meet should be held in such a way from next year onward that players don't miss out on any other major tournament due to burnout.
"Playing in a long tournament like the Indian Badminton League, players of course will get a little tired. We need to manage time or whatever, but this will happen slowly.
"From next year of course myself and IBL organisers will find a way so that we don't get tired and are able to play in all tournaments," Saina told reporters after the launch of Yonex-Sunrise Store in Bangalore on Saturday.
What followed the much-hyped Indian Badminton League, held from August 14 to 31, was pull-outs by quite a few players, including Saina, from world-level tournaments due to exhaustion.
'IBL will only help badminton grow in India'
The shuttle queen from Hyderabad is skipping the upcoming China Masters and Japan Open Super Series in order to regain her energy before the European circuit.
She, though, will compete in the Denmark Open, according to national coach Pullela Gopichand. Few other shuttlers who had competed in the IBL also pulled of the Japan open, besides missing the Chinese Taipei Grand Prix Gold.
Saina said it was important for shuttlers to play in the IBL to make badminton popular in India.
"In fact we have been playing in many tournaments, but we weren't noticed as it was done during the IBL. People know many shuttlers because of IBL. This will only help badminton grow in India," Saina, who guided Hyderabad Hotshots to inaugural title, said.
'Right now people want to compare IBL with IPL'
Replying to a query, the London Olympics bronze medallist and a winner of a host of major international tournaments said she was happy with the IBL's comparison to the popular Indian Premier League (IPL).
"I am really, really happy with the way it went off and I am sure it will get more popular in future.
"Right now people want to compare IBL with IPL, but I think it is too early to do so," she said.