NAGPUR, July 29: Vikrant Patwardhan and Asawari Patwardhan have been given pride of place in the men's and women's sections in the first Maharashtra State Selection Badminton Tournament scheduled from Thursday at the University's Subedar hall.

Almost all the top shuttlers of the State, except former National champion Rajeev Bagga, would be seen in action. The tournament forms the basis of selection for the West Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship, likely to be held at Goa.

National Games gold medallist Vijay Lancy has been seeded second and he is followed by Mayur Tawade and Amrish Shinde. Nazneen Karimi is second seed second among women.

The tournament has received 84 entries 36 in men, 18 in men's doubles, 15 in women's singles, seven in women's doubles and mixed doubles.

A total of Rs 50,000 will be at stake in the competition. The men's singles winner will get a cash prize of Rs 6,000, while the runner-up will stand to gain Rs 4,000. The women's singles winner would be richer by Rs 3,000.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.