MARGAO
Goa’ Sandhya Melasheemi is poised for a double crown at the All India Masters Ranking Badminton Tournament underway in Goa.
The Margao-based player, a former State champion who is now the number-one ranked player in India in the 35+ category, had a great outing at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor stadium at Navelim, reaching the semifinals in women's doubles 35+, and finals in her singles 35+ event, putting her in contention for two titles as the tournament heads into the last day.
The eight-day event organised by Goa Badminton Association under the aegis of Badminton Association of India is selection tournament for the prestigious BWF World Senior Championships in Spain. In men's doubles 40+, Kanji brothers, Sandip and Kamlesh and Margao pair of Vishal Vernekar and Amit Kakkar have both entered the quarterfinals.
Others to qualify by virtue of reaching quarterfinals are Oscar Silveira/Angelo Dias and Wilfred Jacques/Rajpal Singh in men's doubles 50+, and Ayoob C K/Xavier Raphael in men's doubles 55+. The tournament is supported by the Sports Authority of Goa and concludes on Sunday, September 26.
