Jr Natl Badminton C'ship : Manipur earn first ever team champions title
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 18 2018:
Manipur junior badminton players created history on Monday (December 17) by becoming the team champions for the first time at the 43rd Yonex Sunrise Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta Memorial Junior (U-17) National Badminton Championship 2018 which was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from December 15 under the auspices of Badminton Federation of India.
Manipur defeated Maharashtra 3-1 to claim the champions title.
Manipur led the competition with Manipur's Bidyasagar carving out a 19-21,21-16, 21-18 against Rohan Gurvani of Maharashtra in the boys' singles final but Maharashtra drew level when Smith Tousiniwala overcame Manipur's Ksh Maheshori by 2-1 sets (12-21, 23-21, 21-18) in the girls competition.
Manipur boys' and girls' doubles teams however gave fresh hope as they did well to defeat Maharashtra and enabled Manipur rightfully claim the team title.
K Dingku and Kh Manjit pulled off a 21-12, 20-22, 21-14 win over Ajinkya and Akshan of Maharashtra in the boys doubles final to help Manipur regained the lead and it were K Priya and Ksh Maheshori who ensured Manipur the team title with a comfortable 21-11, 21-8 win over Maharastra pair Mrunamayi Deshpande and Ramsa Farukul.
The State team, led by coach Romesh Luwang and manager N Mekenji, consist of Bidyasagar Salam, Kh Manjit, K Dingku, Punshiba Yengkhom, K Sandeep, Kh Bidyachandra, M Nikki, M Meiraba Luwang, L Diana, Velinda Huidrom, Ksh Maheshori, Priya Konjengbam, M Priya Devi, Angelina Angom and Kh Roshmi Devi.