Ashima Sharma, Keekli Reporter, 2nd August, 2014, Shimla
The Yonex Sunrise 28th HP State Sub Junior Badminton Championship took place at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex from 31st July, 2014, a three-day district level badminton championship which concluded on 2nd August, 2014. Chief Guest on the concluding ceremony of the championship was the Chief Parliamentary Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, Vinay Kumar. Students from different school from 10 districts across Himachal turned up for the competition. About 50 players participated in different age categories in the badminton championship organized by Himachal Pradesh Badminton Association, Shimla district.
Ratan Singh from Mandi emerged victorious in this championship in the Under-13 Boys Singles category. He won all the matches he played in this category. Akanksha from Una won the championship in the girls Under-13 Single category. She defeated Megha from Shimla in the final encounter of this age category.
In Under-15 age singles category for girls, Hritika from Shimla bagged the top position. Representing the host city in the Under-15 Boys category, Karan Negi secured the top spot. In the Doubles Category Under-13 Boys, the duo Samaksh and Harsh from Shimla proved heavy on the duo of Rattan and Vedant. Meghan and Nikita stood first in the Under-13 Age Doubles category for girls.
In Under-15 Age Doubles category for boys, Karan and Mohit stood winners while the duo of Sarthak and Gagan secured the runners up spot. In the same age category for girls, the pair of Hritika and Sejal emerged victorious while the duo Maanya and Angelika stood as runners up.
Sharing their experience Maanya and Angelika said, “This is our second time in the district championship. Last year we reached the semi-finals and this year we were able to make it to the finals. We came so close to winning but were not able to make it this year as well. We hope to win the title next year”.
Karan and Mohit, the proud winners of Under-15 Boys Doubles expressed their excitement by saying that, “We are very happy to win this year again. This is our second win in a row. We have been working very hard for the competition. This win would not have been possible without our mentor”.
The Competition concluded with the prize distribution ceremony and a speech by the chief guest who congratulated all the winners and said, “I am filled with pride by looking at the amount of talent our state has. Sports play a very important part in teaching important lessons of life to students. I truly believe in promoting all kinds of sports. I congratulate the Badminton Association of Shimla District who take this initiative every year to promote talent among these young players”.