PANAJI
Neomis Panthers edged past GTZ Pacers to be crowned champions of PBC Pro Badminton League 2020 held at Indoor Stadium, Campal, Panaji.
Lydia Barreto, the young India international player, and Quepem boy Divyesh Shirsat starred for the winning team, ably supported by rest of the squad to register an exciting 147-145 win in a gripping final. Earlier, both Neomis and GTZ won all their four league matches to top their respective groups while Fomento Falcons and Paradise Eagles emerged second to seal the other two semis berths.
In the semi-finals which were equally engrossing, Neomis Panthers battled their way past Fomento Falcons 147-145 while GTZ Pacers had a more comfortable outing in their 147-134 win over Paradise Eagles.
The championship witnessed 10 professional teams competing for the championship prizes, trophies and honours. Special prizes for up-and-coming rural players of the season were awarded to Abhishek Swamy, Sadiq Attar, Divyesh Shirsat, Minino D’ Souza and Shane D’ Souza. The Player of the Championship award was won by Chinmay Kamat from GTZ Pacers.
Powered by Adidas Badminton, the third edition of the league team championship was organised by Panjim Badminton Club in collaboration with Goa Badminton Association and the Sports Authority of Goa.
India international players Anura Prabhu Desai, Arjun Fallary and Lydia Barreto, Sandesh Pawaskar from Adidas Badminton along with PBC members Sandeep Heble (Secretary), Nilesh Nayak and Darwin Barreto (Vice Presidents), and Deepak Mayenkar (Referee) graced the closing function.
