PANAJI: ‘Enthu Cutlets’ all-India masters extravaganza is back with badminton being the major discipline at the sports carnival here from November 26 to 28.
Enthu Cutlets, the world’s largest Badminton Masters WhatsApp group, had first conducted the event in Goa in 2018. This time though, more events are lined up including table tennis, beach football and beach volleyball. Panjim Badminton Club (PBC) and Panjim Table Tennis Club will assist the Enthu Group in conducting the events, stated a press note issued by PBC secretary, Sandeep Heble.
Around 120 masters players (35+ and above age groups) from different parts of India have registered to participate in this fun festival, where badminton matches will be played in an innovative league-cum-knock out team format.
“The whole idea of our festival is to build camaraderie and kinship in our badminton community. We want people to play the sport they love, at the same time have a great time and take back wonderful memories. What better place to have it than in Goa,” says Bibhash Chatterjee, a core founding member of Enthu Cutlets actively promoting badminton especially for the Masters.
He also updated the media on the Covid-19 safety measures, to be implemented during the festival. “Players will be checked with temperature guns and oximeters at the venue and while there are 7 courts at the stadium, only 4 will be utilised to avoid crowding. Practice sessions have also been spaced out between early morning and evening sessions and at no point we will permit more than 50 players inside the stadium,” explained Bibhash.
Bibhash added that Enthu buddies included many badminton coaches, State badminton officials, umpires and many badminton players who have brought name for the country. Enthu buddies, as they call themselves, holistically support the cause of sports especially badminton.
“Some months back, Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju had said that ‘resumption of sporting events will boost the confidence of our athletes and also create an atmosphere of normalcy in these trying times’. So it’s good to see some innovative offline badminton activity of this nature being held here in Goa along with the ISL. Goa has built some excellent sports facilities and Sports tourism is one area which can be tapped. Though this is not a ranking championship or a Prize-money event as such, and there is no affiliation with the Badminton Association of India or the state association; there are many Goa as also national-level veteran players participating. Here’s something unique where Masters players meet, interact and the festival promises to be exciting and entertaining.”
Sandeep Heble, Secretary, Panjim Badminton Club
