PANAJI
Priority Titans team emerged as the champions of the Late Pundalika Shenoy Memorial Sarsangan Premier Badminton League 2023. They defeated the AK Smashers 4-1 in the finals held at the SAG Indoor Hall in Fatorda. The third-place match saw Sultan of Shuttlers beat Acers 4-2.
In the finals, Pranjal Chimulkar and Chinmay Kamat of Priority Titans won the first game against the AK Smashers' mixed doubles team of Sanvi Kelekar and Kapil Kamat with an impressive score of 21-8. Sharang Kamat and Sohan Kelekar of Priority Titans won the men's doubles game against Gaurish Borker and Akshay Prabhu of AK Smashers 21-18, taking the lead to 2-0.
The AK Smashers made a comeback in the third game of the men's doubles with Sanath Kamat and Chandan Sinai Kenkre winning a close game of 21-19 against Chinmay Kamat and Ganesh Pai Vernekar, reducing the margin to 2-1. However, the men's doubles combination of Priority Titans' Dinesh Pai and Swapneel Nachinolkar convincingly beat the pair of Guruprasad Khandeparkar and Deepankar Naik 21-12, giving the Priority Titans a 3-1 lead. Parasmay Praveen Shenoy secured the championship title for Priority Titans by winning the fifth game against Rishi Shiraj Pai Khot of AK Smashers 21-15.
Pranjal Chimulkar and Chinmay Kamat were adjudged the best players of the tournament. Renowned badminton coach Vinayak Kamat was felicitated, and Mohit Redkar, an up-and-coming cricketer from Goa, was also honoured for his contribution to the South Zone in clinching the Deodhar Trophy. A special memento was given to Rishi Shiraj Pai Khot as a promising player for the future.
The Priority Titans team received the winner's trophy and a cash prize of Rs 50,000 along with gold medals, while the AK Smashers were awarded the first runner-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 30,000 and silver medals.
