PANAJI: Crystal Badminators emerged champions of the inaugural Sanquelim Badminton League (SBL), outgunning La Tara Smashers in the finals on Sunday. Chaitanya Smashers prevailed over MLT Shuttlers in the third-place clash.
The first tournament of the 2020-21 season was organised by Sanquelim Shuttlers under the aegis of Goa Badminton Association at the SAG multipurpose stadium, Sanquelim.
Champion team Crystal Badminators comprised Mustafa Abdullah (team owner), Pralhad Dhawaskar, Yeshwant Gaonkar, Mayushri Ajgaonkar, Rucha Barve, Anil Gawas, Rashmir Matonkar, Sadiq Attar and Navnath Gaonkar.
Featuring for the runners-up La Tara were, Yeshwant Desai (team owner), Prasad Ajgaonkar, Rudra Phadte, Gulshan Palekar, Rohan Naik, Gajanan Khot, Nomaa Sancoalkar, Taishin Shaikh and Pratik Dhawaskar.
Rudra Phadte, Rucha Barve, Rifa Shaikh and Kaushika Gaonkar bagged the promising player awards. Meanwhile, prominent sportspersons namely Christie Dias and Steffi Fernandes (beach volleyball), Wilson D’ Souza (badminton) and Pravin Gawas (shooting) were felicitated on the occasion.
“While coaching camps are being held regularly since May, the 2020-21 tournament season has kick-started with this League championship, a novel initiative by Sanquelim Shuttlers, and players can expect a few more of such events in November and December at other centres.”
Sandeep Heble, Secretary, Goa Badminton Association.
