NEW DELHI, July 23- World No. 1 shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei was sold to Mumbai Masters for US$135,000 (RM431,190) in the Indian Badminton League auction here Monday.
He fetched the top base price of US$50,000 (RM159,700).
India’s top player, Saina Nehwal, who also was in the top base price bracket was picked up by the Hyderabad Hotshots for US$120,000 (RM383,280), Indian media reported.
Also given the top base price were four other Indian shuttlers – Parupalli Kashyap, Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa and PV Sindhu.
These six players with the top base price are accorded the status of icon players.
IBL is a franchise league proposed by the Badminton Association of India.
The first edition of the league, which would have both Indian and foreign players, is expected to take place next month.
The first players auction of the IBL is expected to have more than 150 shuttlers go under the hammer for 66 slots in six teams. Each franchisee can feature 11 players, including a maximum of four foreign shuttlers and one under-19 player.
– BERNAMA
