Goans will be in for a visual sporting treat as the Nation’s top Junior shutlers will all converge in Goa to participate in the ‘GVM's A.J. De Almeida High School Centennial All India Junior Major Ranking Badminton Tournament’ to be held in the cities of Ponda and Margao, from 12 to 17 July 2011.
“The GVM's A.J. De Almeida High School was established in the year 1911 and the prestigious Championship is being held to commemorate the School Centenary Year. It will be organized jointly by the School committee in association with the Goa Badminton Association”. This was announced by Architect Bhaskar Khandeparkar, Chairman of the organizing committee at a Press Conference held on Saturday in the school premises. “The Championship which has been budgeted at approximately 10 lakhs with 2 lakhs as the Prize Money will commence on 12th July, 10 am while the formal inaugural will be held at Ponda later in the evening at 5 pm with the Home Minister Ravi Naik the Chief Guest. Honourable Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat will be the Chief Guest for the Closing function”, Mr. Khandeparkar further added while addressing the Media. “Sports is an essential component for the all round development of a child. Achievement in sports not only boosts the concerned child but also has a great impact on national prestige and morale. Therefore, keeping in view the contribution of sports to the overall well-being of the society, we have taken up such major events in our Centenary Year”, announced Savita De Costa, the School Headmistress in her welcome address. Mr. Richard De Souza, President of Goa Badminton Association, giving further details, said that 412 participants from 20 different States will be vying for top honors in this Championship which will feature events in Under 17 and Under 19 Singles and Doubles for Boys and Girls and Under 19 Mixed Doubles. Mr. De Souza further stated that there are 835 total entries in these 9 events with 30 participants from the host State Goa from which 11 players will be playing in the main draw while the others will be playing the qualifiers. Asked how the Goan shuttlers are faring when compared to the Nation’s rest, Organizing Secretary Mr. Narahar Thakur said “While the standard earlier was low due to non exposure, of late more and more players are participating in the Open National Tournaments held in other parts of the Country which is a good sign and the GBA is giving them full support. This Championship will also be a huge opportunity for our youngsters, where they can learn and get experience from”. Mr. Thakur further added that organizing this event would not have been possible without the support which they have received from Sports Authority of Goa and the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs. “Goan players Anura Prabhudesai in Singles and Anushka Kuvelkar in doubles have done well to reach the main draw on merit while Goa has got 2 wild card entries in each of the singles draws and 1 wild card entry in each doubles draw as a host State privilege”, announced Sandeep Heble, the Tournament coordinator. “The Nation’s top Junior shuttlers like Sameer Verma, Pratul Joshi, Aditya Joshi, George Arun, Rituparna Das, Saili Rane, Gauri Ghate and others are all coming here. This is the first time since 1990 that Goa will be witnessing an event of this large a magnitude and one must thank the School for taking up a prestigious event like this.”, Heble further added. To look after the arrangements for the event, a Working Committee has been constituted, headed by Architect Bhaskar Khandeparkar as its Chairman. The other members of the Committee are: Dr Roque D’ Costa(Vice-Chairman ), Mahesh Shetye (President), Jaiwant Priolkar(Treasurer), Deepak Gaonkar (Secretary), Sandeep Dhavlikar(Member), Savita D’ Costa(Headmistress), Richard De Souza(Vice-President), Narahar Thakur(Organizing Secretary), Sudin Kuvelkar, Sandeep Heble, Shashank Naik and Peter Telles(Tournament coordinators), Roy Athaide, Vinayak Kamat, Rajiv Bhargav and Govind Navelkar(Technical Committee). BAI has appointed Mr. Vishwas Deswandikar (MAH) as the Chief Referee with Mr.Sharad Varma (GUJ) as his deputy to conduct the Championship. The Indoor Sports Complex at Ponda will be the main venue for the games while the Multipurpose Stadium at Margao will be the additional venue. All Boys qualifying events up to the 1st Round of the Main Draw will be conducted at Margao while All Girls Events and other matches will be held at Ponda. The Championship will simultaneously kick-off at both these places on Tuesday, 12th July, 10am onwards while the Finals will be held on the 17th. With so many interesting matches, the GVM’s Centennial Junior Badminton Championship will give Goans an exciting week to look for. Photograph of the Press Conference available at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2223844554091.131190.1187066172&l=2d3a8ad94d Yours sincerely Sandeep Heble Tournament coordinator 9326129171
