SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 28: Sajan Kumar, Shruti, Dipak Kumar Mahto and Ananya Singh emerged champions in their age group events of the Jharkhand Schools’ Games Federation of India (SGFI) badminton championship cum selection trial for the state team which concluded at Khel Gaon Ranchi on Wednesday evening.
In the boys’ under-19 final, Sajan Kumar of Ranchi defeated Swapanil Nayak of Hazaribagh 15-08, 15-07. Earlier Sajan Kumar had defeated Ankit Gope of Ranchi in three sets in an exciting semifinal encounter 15-07,14-15 and 15-10.
In the girls’ under -19 final, Shruti of Dhanbad beat Bhumikdhara of Giridih 15-08, 15-03.
Earlier in the semifinal, Shruti had defeated Anamika Ghosh of Dhanbad 15-08,14-15 and 15-12 while Bhumikdhara beat Vaishnavi of Ranchi in the second semifinal by 15-12, 15-13.
In the boys’ under-17, Dipak Kumar Mahto of Ranchi was declared champion after top-seeded and title favourite Niraj Kesri did not play the final match due to an emergent work at the house. Dipak had defeated Sachin Gope in the semifinal 15-11,15-09.
Ranchi’s Ananya Singh emerged champion in the girls’ under-17 singles event defeating Jayshinta Bilung of Gumla 15-04,15-07 in the final.
The Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) organized the championship. Tournament in-charge Ravi Kesri told media persons that all events were conducted timely. National panel badminton umpire of Jharkhand Wasim Akram supervised the championship.
