Ajit John
ajit @herald-goa.com
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PANJIM: Goa’s most promising badminton players may be on a two-day break but their attention will certainly be on the Inter-State West Zone badminton championship to be held at Parbhani in Maharashtra from September 7 to 10.
The event takes place after a Covid-induced gap of three years and the players are agog with excitement to participate.
Sandeep Heble, secretary, Goa Badminton Association, said “The team is gearing up and working extremely hard to give their best.
“The competition would be quite tough with players from States like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat some of whom would be the top ranked players in the country,” he said.
The Goan team, he said, was preparing well under the guidance of Khelo India Centre coach Irfan Khan and the Sports Authority of Goa. Sandeep said,“There are extensive fitness sessions as well as stroke practice sessions during the advanced preparatory camp at Campal and the young boys and girls are looking forward to the contest.
“Side by side, Anura who has qualified for the National Games in the women’s singles is also training hard to come back home with a medal and we wish her all the best,” Heble said.
The announcement of the West Zone, National Games and the National Championships later this year after a two-year hiatus is a welcome sign and the players look forward to qualify and bring glory to the State.
The players exuded confidence as they prepared for the campaign. Karan Dhavaskar , the State’s No. 1 singles player said, “Playing with different players and getting an opportunity to train under Irfan who is trying his best to get the best game out of the players.
The camp, he said, is enjoyable because everyone was giving their best. Yash Halarnkar, another promising junior player, said: “It’s a very nice feeling to be selected for West Zone and preparing for it during the camp with all the senior players and coaches is very motivating.
“Learning new strategies and improving on your skills and game overall is a very proud feeling,” Halarnkar added.
Aryaman Saraf, a promising junior player, representing Goa in the West Zone championship, will participate in the U-19 doubles and mixed doubles categories. Practice at the camp he said was intense under the supervision of Irfan and Arjun and the players were motivated to do their best.
For Anjana Kumari, Goa’s top ranked women’s singles player, the process leading to the selection of players was excellent. Anjana said, “The selection tournament was organised well and it’s good for players that we are having the camp before the zonals as it will help the players prepare well and give their best. I am hoping for good results”.
Goan players have been slowly and steadily been making their mark on the badminton landscape.
Tanisha Crasto, the 19-year-old India star, is an example which members of the team would be yearning to follow.
