MARGAO
The mixed doubles pair of Dr Satish Kudchadkar and Dr Sicletica Rebello secured Goa its first gold medal at the All India Masters Ranking Badminton Tournament at Manohar Parrikar Indoor stadium, Navelim on Tuesday.
It was an eventful day for the State’s masters players at the selection tournament for the BWF World Seniors Championships. On day three of the eight-day event, the pair of Kudchadkar and Rebello beat Wazir Chand Goyal and Usha Sharma 20-22, 21-14, 21-12 for the mixed doubles 75+ title.
Kudchadkar, who was in the fray for two more titles, having reached the finals in men’s singles and doubles in 75+ age categories, had to settle for silver in both categories. In men’s singles 75+, Kudchadkar went down 13-21, 23-25 to Sudam Shahare while in men’s doubles 75+, the Goan along with his partner Alfred Christian gave top seeds Suresh D Hegde / Mohan Murari Lal Srivastava several tough moments before going down narrowly by an 18-21, 17-21 scoreline. Meanwhile, Sicletica won Goa its second gold by claiming the women’s 75+ doubles title along with her partner Perpetua Jaques. In mixed doubles 70+ finals, Goa’s Hilario Fernandes / Malaquinha Fernandes lost 21-8, 21-3 to top seeds Rakesh Sharma / Maya Chawat but a silver medal finish for the Goans sealed them a qualification place in Spain for the seniors worlds.
Likewise, Mukta Agshikar in WS 70+ secured silver, going down 21-10, 21-8 to top seed Maya Chawat. In women’s doubles 70+ finals, Mukta Agshikar / Bharati Heble lost 21-8, 21-10 to settle for silver. Goa’s Tanaji Sawant, who scored some outstanding wins in men’s singles 65+ in the last two days knocking out higher seeds, went down to top seed Anil Mital to settle for a bronze.
All these players, by virtue of their strong performance, have qualified for the BWF World Seniors championships, which is scheduled to be held in Spain later this year.
“A 10-day advanced preparatory camp was held for Goa players conducted by SAG coach Vinayak Kamat. Goa players were very committed and put in a lot of effort along with the coach,” Sandeep Heble, the Goa Badminton Association Secretary, said. “There were extensive sessions which resulted in good results for our team. For the first time in our history, so many of our players have qualified, and many more are in the fray. Our hearty congratulations especially to Dr Sicletica, Kudchadkar and Tanaji Sawant who played brilliantly the last few days.”
The tournament, organised by the Goa Badminton Association under the aegis of Badminton Association of India and supported by SAG, concludes on September 26.
