From 15 to 50, women of all ages shine at Express shuttle tourney in Hyderabad

All good things come to end, and so did the first edition of Express Women’s singles badminton championship at the MCH indoor courts in Hyderabad on Saturday.
(left to right) Devyani Balwada, Pujitha Mohan, Alekhya, S Jhanvi, P Sonalim, Sri Vidya, Divya Sahithi, Tanvi, winners of the  New Indian Express Women’s Singles Badminton Championship pose with their trophies at GHMC Grounds in Ameerpet in Hyderabad on S
(left to right) Devyani Balwada, Pujitha Mohan, Alekhya, S Jhanvi, P Sonalim, Sri Vidya, Divya Sahithi, Tanvi, winners of the New Indian Express Women’s Singles Badminton Championship pose with their trophies at GHMC Grounds in Ameerpet in Hyderabad on S

HYDERABAD: All good things come to end, and so did the first edition of Express Women’s singles badminton championship, here at the MCH indoor courts on Saturday.

A two day event, Express championship saw close to 50 participants in the senior and the junior categories. Not only that, the tournament witnessed participation from the known Gopichand Academy and Chetan Anand Academy as well. 


All the contests were fought hard, but there were a few that really set the tournament rolling. It was the third place match and the 13-yr-old Divya D was in the lead against her opponent.

B Shantakumari (50) during her
first round match | vinay madapu

That’s when she injured her knee badly. But the little girl gathered her composure and went on to register an easy victory. The girl set an example for rest of the players and showed how important it is to keep competing and keep the spirits up.


The Hyderabad girl who is a U-13 state level player wants to become a medicine practitioner one day, and be closely associated with the sport as well.


“I injured my knee badly during the match. But then I still wanted to compete and win. I had done really well to reach the final four, and wanted to finish well.


“Badminton is a hobby for me. I want to become a doctor later. But i want to be closely associated to the game in the future as well,” Divya said after her win.


The tournament provided the participants an opportunity to get a feel of what is like to play in a professional event, and what the pressure is like when you play in front of crowd. 


Though the experienced campaigners emerged on top in the end, but it was not before a tough fight.
“The tournament was really well organised. It was almost similar to the tournaments we play at our academy. The competition was better than i had expected, and I had to really come up with my best game to win the championship,” said Sri Vidya, winner in the junior’s category.


Express championship, which was an invitational event, saw not only youngsters vie for the top prize, but also women from all walks of life. One such lady was B Shantakumari (50), who came to cheer for her daughter, but ended up playing in the main draw. Though Shantakumari could not win, but was appreciated for putting up a brave fight.


“I had come here to cheer my daughter. But then I ended  up playing in the tournament. Age is not a concern for me. I  just wanted to rub shoulders with the youngsters,” said Shantakumari.

So at the end of the championship, the motto of the championship was achieved to encourage girls and women to come forward and not simply participate in sports, but also compete.

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