Goemakrponn desk
PANAJI: Goa’ Sandhya Melasheemi won Gold in Women’s Doubles 35+ along with a Silver in 35+ Singles as the curtains came down on the All India Masters Ranking Badminton Tournament, which concluded at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor stadium at Navelim. Goa’s Ayoob C.K, who partnered Kerala’s Xavier Raphael, surpassed all expectations to win Silver in Men’s doubles 50+ category. Goa’s former State champion and former India player, Leena Pednekar Dhapre, was a double delight as she won a Gold in Women’s Singles 45+, followed by another Gold in Women’s Doubles 40+ partnering Gujarat’s Pooja Mehta. Several prominent players from across India, including many former National champions, were seen in action during the 8-day event organised by the Goa Badminton Association under the aegis of the Badminton Association of India. Raghavan P./ Varun Sharma (Men’s Doubles 40+), Banu S. / Shalini Shetty (W.D. 45+), Abhinn Shyam Gupta (M.S. 40+), Aneesh K. A. / Vijay Lancy (M.D. 45+) and Vidhyadhar J. B. S. / Nupura Gadgil (Mixed Doubles 40+) were some of the prominent players who excelled during the tournament earmarked as a Selection tournament for the prestigious BWF World championships in Spain. Among other Goan players to qualify from 35+ to 50+ age groups for Spain by virtue of reaching quarters were Kanji brothers Sandip and Kamlesh, Wilfred Jacques, Amit Kakkar, Vishal Vernekar, Oscar Silveira and Angelo Dias.
“Goa players performed beyond expectations. We had a camp of 10 days where we could improve on their finer points. Several Goan players have now qualified for the BWF World Championships in Spain, and we should put in more efforts now by having a one-month preparatory camp to prepare our players for the World Championship where we can expect a few medals”, the Goa Team Coach Vinayak Kamat stated while elaborating on the team’s performance. Digambar Kamat (Hon. Leader of Opposition), Manoj Patil (Businessman and Sports Promoter), O.D. Sharma(Chairman, Tournament Committee, BAI), Rakesh Shekhar (Observer, BAI) along with Narahar Thakur (GBA President), Sandeep Heble (GBA Secretary) graced the closing function.
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