Open Melo and Tao Yania were crowned men’s and women’s singles champions of the 5th Chief Minister’s Sub-Veteran and Veteran State Badminton Tournament 2018, the competition which came to an end at the Multipurpose Cultural Hall here on Friday.
Representing Lower Dibang Valley district, Melo defeated Dilip Gurung of Itanagar Badminton Club (IBC) in straight sets of 21-13 and 22-20 to win the title in the 35 plus age category while Yania, who represented Lepa Rada district, got the better of Yapu Boni from West Siang in the 35 plus women singles finals.
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Melo, paired with Pranko Miso also reached the finals in the men’s doubles; however, they lost to Tomar Ango and Saji Baby of Lower Dibang Valley in straight sets of 21-14 and 21-17 and settled for silver.
The pair of Tomar Ango and Saji Baby later also won gold in the 40 and 45 plus categories.
The 35 plus mixed doubles final saw Tomar and singles champion Yania beat Lee Sora and Oni Lona Dai 21-11, 21-16 to win the title.
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Meanwhile, having lost the singles crown in the 35 plus finals, Gurung made strong comeback in the 40 plus event and won gold defeating Laa Ribe in straight sets of 21-14 and 21-10.
Ribe, on the other hand, defeated Karmo Riram of West Siang 21-18, 21-12 in the 45 plus finals.
The men’s doubles gold in the 45 plus category was won by Jarsa Gamlin and Karmo Riram who thrashed Kenbom Riba and Somar Potom in straight sets of 21-10 and 21-14.
Matches were also played in the 50 plus category in which Dobin Doke of Lepa Rada beat Nyali of IBC in the men’s singles final while the IBC pair of Gechi Doke and Kalom Pait got the better of Nyali Ete and Sumnyak Sumnyan in the men’s doubles.
Addressing the valedictory function of the tournament as chief guest, Arunachal Sports Authority chairman Bamang Tago urged the youngsters to take badminton or any other sports as a profession and assured all possible help to the budding shuttlers from the Arunachal State Badminton Association, of which he is the secretary.
Tago also spoke of the job reservation quota the state government has in place for meritorious sportspersons.
Lepa Rada District Badminton Association president of Toni Bam also spoke.