Patna, November 17
It’s a mission accomplished for Sameer Verma.
The Madhya Pradesh lad, who came in Patna with an envious crown of top seed in the sub-junior boys’ singles, proved he is the number one of Indian badminton in his group. Sameer, despite losing the first set against his state mate Pratul Joshi, held his nerves together to claim the title 21-23, 21-19, 21-16 at the Secretariat Badminton Hall here on Sunday.
Sameer looked a little bit shaky in the opening game. His service that was his main weapon throughout the tournament misfired on umpteen times. Pratul took the advantage of the situation to give his reputed rival a jolt in the first game.
Sameer, however, accepted the fact after the match. “Yes my service was not up to the mark in first game”, he said. “I was not nervous after losing the first game. I worked on my service, kept my nerves together for the final assault”, he added.
The final day of the seven-day long 22nd National sub-junior and mini badminton championships kept the spectators spell bound as the future of Indian badminton fought for each and every points to make it worthy summit showdowns to watch.
West Bengal’s whiz-kid Rituparna Das celebrated the day pocketing two titles in mini girls’ events. She won the mini girls’ singles crown defeating Ruchika Shivani (Karanataka) 21-9, 21-13. She later, combining with Ruchika Shivani bagged the mini girls’ doubles title defeating the pair of V Harika and Karthik Reshma.
Rituparna was more than happy with her performance. “I’m delighted on my show here in Patna. I want to continue this performance in future events”, she said.
Arslan Naqvi, a fighter to the core UP lad, stamped his authority in the mini boys’ singles final dismantling the top seed Aditya Joshi of Madhya Pradesh 21-7, 17-12, 21-14.
Andhra Pradesh pair of GD Ganga Rao and Purudmiraj annexed the mini boys’ doubles title outsmarting another pair of their own state Upendra and Chaitanya 21-18, 21-16.
The boys’ doubles title, however, won by the Andhra Pradesh pair of Venkatesh and Prahash defeating the cream Madhya Pradesh pair Sameer Verma and Pratul Joshi 20-22, 21-18, 21-8.
Syali Rane of Maharashtra, the top seed in sub-junior girls’ section justified her billing as she claimed the coveted crown outplaying Sindhu (Andhra Pradesh) 21-19, 21-15.
Syali made it a grand double. The Mahrashtra lass, pairing with teammate Tanvi Lad defeated Andhra combination of Sindhu and Manish 21-15, 21-16 to capture the sub-junior girls’ doubles title.
Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who was the chief guest at the prize-distribution function, gave away the prizes. Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Union Minister of State for Water Resources Jai Prakash Yadav, Ram Kripal Yaday (MP), Shyam Rajak (MLA), Anjani Kumar Singh (IAS), LC Gupta, vice-president, Badminton Association of India (BAI) and SA Shetty (BAI joint secretary) were present at the function. Bihar Badminton Association, president, Abdul Bari Siddiqui presided over the function. Bihar Badminton Association secretary KN Jaiswal anchored the closing function and proposed a vote of thanks.
It’s a mission accomplished for Sameer Verma.
The Madhya Pradesh lad, who came in Patna with an envious crown of top seed in the sub-junior boys’ singles, proved he is the number one of Indian badminton in his group. Sameer, despite losing the first set against his state mate Pratul Joshi, held his nerves together to claim the title 21-23, 21-19, 21-16 at the Secretariat Badminton Hall here on Sunday.
Sameer looked a little bit shaky in the opening game. His service that was his main weapon throughout the tournament misfired on umpteen times. Pratul took the advantage of the situation to give his reputed rival a jolt in the first game.
Sameer, however, accepted the fact after the match. “Yes my service was not up to the mark in first game”, he said. “I was not nervous after losing the first game. I worked on my service, kept my nerves together for the final assault”, he added.
The final day of the seven-day long 22nd National sub-junior and mini badminton championships kept the spectators spell bound as the future of Indian badminton fought for each and every points to make it worthy summit showdowns to watch.
West Bengal’s whiz-kid Rituparna Das celebrated the day pocketing two titles in mini girls’ events. She won the mini girls’ singles crown defeating Ruchika Shivani (Karanataka) 21-9, 21-13. She later, combining with Ruchika Shivani bagged the mini girls’ doubles title defeating the pair of V Harika and Karthik Reshma.
Rituparna was more than happy with her performance. “I’m delighted on my show here in Patna. I want to continue this performance in future events”, she said.
Arslan Naqvi, a fighter to the core UP lad, stamped his authority in the mini boys’ singles final dismantling the top seed Aditya Joshi of Madhya Pradesh 21-7, 17-12, 21-14.
Andhra Pradesh pair of GD Ganga Rao and Purudmiraj annexed the mini boys’ doubles title outsmarting another pair of their own state Upendra and Chaitanya 21-18, 21-16.
The boys’ doubles title, however, won by the Andhra Pradesh pair of Venkatesh and Prahash defeating the cream Madhya Pradesh pair Sameer Verma and Pratul Joshi 20-22, 21-18, 21-8.
Syali Rane of Maharashtra, the top seed in sub-junior girls’ section justified her billing as she claimed the coveted crown outplaying Sindhu (Andhra Pradesh) 21-19, 21-15.
Syali made it a grand double. The Mahrashtra lass, pairing with teammate Tanvi Lad defeated Andhra combination of Sindhu and Manish 21-15, 21-16 to capture the sub-junior girls’ doubles title.
Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who was the chief guest at the prize-distribution function, gave away the prizes. Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Union Minister of State for Water Resources Jai Prakash Yadav, Ram Kripal Yaday (MP), Shyam Rajak (MLA), Anjani Kumar Singh (IAS), LC Gupta, vice-president, Badminton Association of India (BAI) and SA Shetty (BAI joint secretary) were present at the function. Bihar Badminton Association, president, Abdul Bari Siddiqui presided over the function. Bihar Badminton Association secretary KN Jaiswal anchored the closing function and proposed a vote of thanks.
Cash prizes
Speaking on the occasion, Lalu Prasad announced cash prizes of Rs 25,000 each for the winners and runners up in all groups. The cash parizes would be given by Railways, he added.
Photo caption: Winners of 22nd National sub-junior and mini badminton championships pose for photographers with their trophies in Patna on Sunday (November 16). Photo: Aftab Alam
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