1st Thongam Ibetombi Memorial Non-State Badminton tournament gets underway
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 27 2024:
The inaugural edition of the Thongam Ibetombi Devi Memorial Non State Badminton tournament got underway at Indoor Stadium, DM University Campus under the auspices of the Manipur Badminton Association.
As many as 415 players across different age groups will be competing in different competitions during the tournament that will culminate on June 1.The tournament was formally launched in the presence of Arjuna awardee and SP Sports, L Sarita; P Ratankumar, vice president of Manipur Badminton Association and Dronacharya awardee and Assistant Director Youth Affairs and Sports, L Anita as dignitaries.
The opening day of the tournament saw the completion of 15 men's singles matches.
Securing first round victories in the competition are RK Henry, M Basantaraj, Sundeepkumar Laishram among others.
RK Henry of Bishnupur got the better of Sarangthem Joychandra of Imphal West 14-21, 21-18 21-13 as M Basantaraj of Thoubal beat Yangthingpei Ramror 24-26 21-16 21-7 to progress into the next round.
Sundeepkumar meanwhile outlasted N Barun of Imphal East 21-18 21-17 before Yumnam Sudish Kumar of Thoubal saw off R Tiba Stephen of Senapati 21-9 21-5; Takhellambam Hemjit of thoubal beat compatriot Margesh Asem 21-7 21-13; AS Khangamapam of Kamjong beat N Marcus of Imphal East 21-11 21-16; Surjit Nongthombam of Imphal East outlasted Wilson Kamei of Senapati 21-17 21-12; Maisnam Roshan of Imphal West beat A Vonson of Imphal East 21-5 21-12 and RK Thoungamba of Bishnupur beat Pearlchandra of Imphal West 21-8 21-4 .
Khwairakpam Kalenyai of Bishnupur also advanced to the next round beating S Bhimananda of Imphal East 21-8 21-6 before Soram Arbin of Thoubal edged out M Aruba Sharma of Imphal West 19-21 21-13 21-19; Rangkangbung Kamsom of Noney outlasted H Jonathan of Bishnupur 21-9 13-5 (Jonathan retired) and Kingson Thono of Senapati beat Kh Dilip of Thoubal 9-21 21-9 21-14 .
The day also saw completion of 11 U-13 boys singles, 6 U-15 boys singles and 6 U-11 boys singles first round matches.