The competitive calendar of the local Badminton Association will shortly feature this season’s edition of the Individual League. This event, which is open to all those who are interested in taking part, will be played on Sunday mornings at St. Martin’s College, Swatar; it will get underway on 5 February, with separate Singles and Doubles sections.

The participants will be graded into different divisions, according to their standard of play. There will also be a specific division for beginners. This ensures that each player would compete against opponents who are, more or less, of the same standard. This in turn facilitates a level playing field, thereby increasing the competition’s overall interest and excitement.

Males and females may be competing against each other in the same division, each one of which will be played on a league format. Each fixture will consist of only two sets of fifteen points each, giving rise to the possibility of a drawn result.

Players will be promoted and relegated from their respective division, according to their final placing. Prizes will be awarded to the winner and runner-up in each division.

Players are to umpire their own matches; the association may, however, appoint umpires at its discretion.

In case two or more players finish on equal points at the top of the table, the winner’s title will be awarded according to the overall result of their direct encounter(s). If this is insufficient, a decider (over the best of three sets) would then be played. The same Rule applies in case of relegation.

A spokesman for the Badminton Association, while wishing good luck to all the participants, augured that the event will be played in a spirit of healthy competition and sportsmanship.

He pointed out that applications from all interested participants are to reach the association by not later than tomorrow.