PANAJI: Goa will host one of the first major National Ranking badminton tournaments after a lengthy break in the domestic structure since March 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic. Badminton Association of India (BAI) has now decided to roll out its first tournament since lockdown which will be for the Masters (Veterans) players from age groups 35-and-above from September 19-26, says a press release by Goa Badminton Association (GBA).
“This is to inform you that Hon’ ble President, BAI (Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma) has accorded approval of All India Masters Ranking Badminton Tournament 2021 in Goa from 19 to 26 September 2021 for the Selection of Masters Indian Team going to represent India in the forthcoming BWF World Seniors championships to be held in Spain from 28 November to 4 December, 2021,” BAI Secretary General, Ajay Kumar Singhania announced in his communication to the State Associations.
“Badminton players were eagerly waiting for the National tournament season to resume and the BAI’s announcement is wonderful news for all the shuttlers. The successful conduct of a big championship of this nature could pave the way for restart of Senior Ranking National tournaments as well as age group tournaments and bright days ahead for aspiring youngsters. CM Dr Pramod Sawant and the Sports Authority of Goa have extended us good support. We call upon all to encourage this championship which will go a long way in regularising badminton and other sports activities across the Country. The championships will be held with strict COVID-19 guidelines and protocols in place. Let us come together and work together to lift the spirits of all our talented sportspersons across India”, stated GBA secretary, Sandeep Heble.
Approximately 500 to 700 players will be expected to participate which will include about 70 Goan players who will compete with their Indian compatriots. There will be many former National champions who will converge into Goa.
Goa will pin their hopes on their star Masters players such as Sandhya Melasheemi, Ashutosh Pednekar, Sandeep Kanji, Kamlesh Kanji, Dr Satish Kudchadkar, Dr Sicletica Rebello, Amit Kakkar and Vishal Vernekar who have won medals previously for Goa in the National Masters circuit during previous seasons.
Meanwhile, the GBA has announced its organising committee which will host this event at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor stadium at Navelim, Salcete. The Committee members are as follows: Digambar Kamat (Chief Patron), Richard D’Souza (IFS) & Ashok Menon (Advisors), Narahar Thakur (President), Sandeep Heble (Organising Secretary), Sarfraz Shaikh (Treasurer), Vinayak Kamat & Roy Ataide (Technical Advisors / Goa State Team Coaches) and following Organising Members: Amit Kakkar, Aniket Shenai, Kamlesh Kanji, Kunal Sanvordekar, Laxmikant Kenaudekar, Nilesh Nayak, Oscar Silveira, Pradosh Silimkhan, Dr Sandeep Fowkar, Sandeep Kanji, Seby Ferrao, Shamsuddin C. K, Shashank Desai, Supriya Pai Kuchelkar, Vaman Fallary, Vishal Vernekar and Vrushali Cardoso.
