NAVELIM: Goa’s Sandhya Melasheemi is poised for a double crown at the All-India Masters Ranking Badminton Tournament in progress here at Manohar Parrikar indoor stadium, in South Goa.
The Margao-based shuttler, a former Goa state badminton champion and number one India-ranked player in 35+ category, had a great outing, reaching the semi-finals in Women’s Doubles 35+, and final in the singles event, putting her in contention for two medals as the tournament heads into the concluding day.
The 8-day event organised by Goa Badminton Association under the aegis of Badminton Association of India, is a selection tournament for the prestigious BWF World Seniors Championships to be held in Spain.
In Men’s Doubles 40+ event, Kanji Brothers Sandip and Kamlesh; and Margao pair of Vishal Vernekar and Amit Kakkar, have both entered the quarter-finals, and sealed the berth for the world championships.
Others to qualify by virtue of reaching quarter-finals were Oscar Silveira / Angelo Dias and Wilfred Jacques / Rajpal Singh in Men’s Doubles 50+, and Ayoob C K / Xavier Raphael in Men’s Doubles 55+.
The tournament supported by the Sports Authority of Goa concludes on September 26.
