Sandhya Melasheemi (in red) with her partner Sangeeta Mari and coach Vinayak Kamat.
Photo Credits: GBA
MARGAO
Goa’ Sandhya Melasheemi won gold in women’s doubles 35+ along with a silver in 35+ singles as the curtains came down on the All India Masters Ranking Badminton Tournament at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor stadium, Navelim.
Also, Goa’s Ayoob CK, who partnered with Kerala’s Xavier Raphael, surpassed all expectations to win silver in the men’s doubles 50+ category. For Goa’s former State champion and former India player, Leena Pednekar Dhapre, it was a double delight as she won the gold in women’s singles 45+, followed by another gold in women’s doubles 40+, partnering Gujarat’s Pooja Mehta.
Several prominent players from across India including many former national champions were seen in action during the eight-day event organised by the Goa Badminton Association under the aegis of the Badminton Association of India. Raghavan P/Varun Sharma (men’s doubles 40+), Banu S/Shalini Shetty (women’s doubles 45+), Abhinn Shyam Gupta (men’s singles 40+), Aneesh KA/Vijay Lancy (men’s doubles 45+) and Vidhyadhar J BS/Nupura Gadgil (mixed doubles 40+) were some of the prominent players who excelled during the tournament earmarked as a selection tournament for the prestigious BWF World Senior Championships in Spain.
Among other Goan players to qualify from 35+ to 50+ age groups for Spain by virtue of reaching quarterfinals were Kanji brothers – Sandip and Kamlesh, Wilfred Jacques, Amit Kakkar, Vishal Vernekar, Oscar Silveira and Angelo Dias.
“Goa players performed beyond expectations. We had a camp for 10 days where we could improve on the finer points. Several Goan players have now qualified for the BWF World Championships in Spain and we should put in more efforts now by having a one-month preparatory camp to prepare our players for the world championships where we can expect a few medals,” the Goa team coach Vinayak Kamat said while elaborating on the team’s performance.
Digambar Kamat, leader of opposition, Manoj Patil, businessman and sports promoter, OD Sharma, chairman, tournament committee, BAI, Rakesh Shekhar, observer, BAI, along with Narahar Thakur, GBA president, Sandeep Heble, GBA secretary, graced the closing function.
