MAM
PNB MetLife unveils seventh edition of Junior Badminton Championship
Mumbai: PNB MetLife, one of India’s leading life insurance companies, is excited to announce the much-awaited seventh edition of the Junior Badminton Championship (JBC), a premier junior badminton tournament dedicated to nurturing young talent and cultivating a new generation of champions in the sport.
The PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship has captivated audiences as a thrilling spectacle and competitive platform that hones the skills of junior badminton players. Since its inception in 2015, the league has successfully conducted six editions, with the impressive participation of over 40,000 aspiring players in more than 30,000 action-packed matches.
This year, the championship will span ten cities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Guwahati, Kochi, Jalandhar, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Ranchi, and Lucknow. All badminton players and aspirants in these ten cities between the ages of seven and 17 are eligible to compete in PNB MetLife JBC 2023. The different categories include Under nine, Under 11, Under 13, Under 15, and Under 17. The match format will be singles and each participant can play in a maximum of two categories, as long as the maximum age limit is upheld. The State Winners will be invited to New Delhi for the grand finale and awards ceremony.
PNB MetLife MD & CEO Ashish Srivastava expressed his excitement for the upcoming championship. “Over the course of six extraordinary editions, the PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship has brought together top young sporting talent from across the country, seamlessly crossing geographical borders and cultures. More than just a sports tournament, JBC is an arena for personal transformation – nurturing aspirations for the future, instilling sportsmanship, and sculpting the potential champions of tomorrow. JBC embodies the true essence of sports as a unifying force.”
JBC is globally recognised as the world’s largest junior badminton tournament played across multiple venues, a remarkable achievement acknowledged by the esteemed World Record Certification Agency (WRCA). This recognition solidifies the league’s status as a trailblazer in promoting junior badminton excellence in India.
Top players and coaches in India including PV Sindhu, Prakash Padukone, Ashwini Poannapa, Vimal Kumar and Chetan Anand support this initiative through the JBC Boot Camp. The JBC Boot Camp is an innovative online badminton academy that offers valuable insights and techniques, enabling young players to refine their skills and reach their full potential.
The grand launch event of the PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship 2023 is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad on 15 September. This event will mark the commencement of an exciting journey across the ten states, where talented young players will compete for glory on the badminton court.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
