NEW DELHI, May 22 (PTI): Badminton in the country received a massive fillip today with Indian Open granted a Super Series status for a three-year period starting next year. So far a Grand Prix event, the tournament staved off the challenge from Swiss Open to bag the honour, riding on the support it got from non-European countries in the World Badminton Federation (WBF) Executive Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
�We won the vote against the Swiss Open 10-7 with all non-European nations supporting our bid,� Badminton India President VK Verma said in a statement.
It�s elevation means Indian Open will be a USD 500,000 event featuring world�s top 32 players in men�s and women�s singles and doubles.
Pollard, South Africa fined
Antigua, May 22 (PTI): Explosive West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard was today fined 25 per cent of his match fee for breaching ICC Code of Conduct during his team�s second Twenty20 International match against South Africa here.
South Africa were also fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during their 13-run victory yesterday.
Pollard was charged with a Level 1 offence under article 2.1.8 of the code which relates to conduct contrary to the spirit of cricket. The incident took place in the 18th over of the West Indies innings when Pollard ran towards the non-striker�s end in such a way that he impeded the bowler�s path to the ball. The charge was laid by on-field umpires Norman Malcolm and Clyde Duncan as well as third umpire Goaland Greeves. The player pleaded guilty to the charge and accepted the proposed sanction offered to him by Match Referee Roshan Mahanama.
