Maharashtra and Karnataka won their league stage matches to enter the final in the men’s team championship on the opening day of the badminton competition in the 37th National Games Goa 2023 at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium at Taleigao Plateau on Thursday.
Maharashtra got the better of Assam 3-2 in the first of the five-match rubber in the morning session before seeing off hosts Goa 4-1 in the evening.
Harsheel Dani set the stage with a winning start for Maharashtra against Assam. In an intense battle, Harsheel got the best of Orijit Chaliha in a gruelling three-game encounter 21-16, 17-21, 22-20 in one hour and five minutes.
Goa’s Arunesh H outplayed Maharashtra shuttler Arya Bhivpathaki 21-18, 21-13 in just 34 minutes to bring happiness to the home fans, some of whom were at the stadium to cheer the hosts.
Karnataka meanwhile boast a strong team with World Junior Championship Bronze-medallist Ayush Shetty winning his matches and ensuring that his team will fight for the team title. They beat Uttarakhand and Delhi by an identical scoreline of 4-1.
Goa also had encouraging victories to celebrate in the women’s category. Playing against Punjab’s Samridhi in the morning, Sakshi Kurbhelgi tasted a fine 21-16, 21-18 success in the opener. The rubber didn’t go Goa’s way as Punjab bagged the next three matches, before the hosts’ pair of Anamika Singh and Anagha Karandikar pulled off a thrilling come-from-behind win over Saanvi Nautiyal and Lisa Taank 12-21, 21-18, 21-17.
Earlier, Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant graced the start of the badminton event. Sports Minister Govind Gaude, MLA Jennifer Monserrate and MLA Daji Salkar were also present among others.
Dr Sawant welcomed the shuttlers from all over the country and emphasised the commitment of the government to transform Goa into a sports tourism hub.
Sports Minister Gaude hailed the efforts of all stakeholders in realising Goa’s dream of hosting the prestigious Games. He also stressed that the school students coming to watch the event at the Games, will not only create a great atmosphere but this experience will go a long way towards cementing the love of sports in their mind.
