PANAJI
Phoenix Smashers emerged victorious in the grand finale of the PBC Enthu Badminton League Championship 2024, defeating Panjim Panthers 147-130 to lift the coveted championship trophy. The tournament, organized by Panjim Badminton Club in association with Enthu, the largest WhatsApp community of badminton Masters players, took place at the Indoor Stadium, Campal, Panaji, showcasing the skills of 140 Masters players aged 35 and above across 10 competitive teams.
The league stage saw Panjim Panthers and Phoenix Smashers dominate their respective groups, winning four matches each to top the standings. Kumpoo Challengers and High Voltage followed with three wins apiece to secure their spots in the semi-finals. The semi-finals delivered high-intensity action, with Panjim Panthers defeating High Voltage 147-122, while Phoenix Smashers edged out Kumpoo Challengers 147-137 in a nail-biting contest. Each Team comprised 14 players with a match featuring 7 Doubles pairs, battling their opponents in a relay scoring format.
The closing ceremony was graced by Manoj Patil, President of Goa Badminton Association, Praveen Shenoy, Secretary of Goa Badminton Association, and Sandeep Heble, Organising Secretary. Speaking on the event, Sandeep Heble remarked, “The event witnessed many top level masters players from different States in action which included coaches, national medal winners and respective State champions. There was plenty of drama and excitement, with matches at times getting stalled over some heated discussions and disputes” all in good fighting spirit, of course. But in the end, everyone was smiling, showing the great camaraderie among Masters players.”
Manoj Patil highlighted Goa’s appeal as a top venue for such events, stating, “Goa is not only a great tourism destination but also offers excellent facilities for hosting events like this. The Indoor Stadium at Campal is a perfect venue for combining competitive sports with fun and relaxation.”
Looking ahead, Praveen Shenoy shared exciting news: “Goa will host the Masters Nationals in March 2025, welcoming more than 2,000 players from across India. It promises to be an extraordinary event and a fantastic platform for the Masters community to showcase their talent.”
