Assam emerged team champion in the senior category of Yonex-Sunrise North-East Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship 2019 held at the indoor badminton hall of Paljor Stadium complex in Gangtok.

Manipur emerged as the runners-up while Nagaland and Mizoram stood third in the championship.

In junior category of the championship, Manipur became the team champion while Assam emerged as the runners-up while Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram stood third.

The four-day long Yonex-Sunrise North-East Zone Inter State Badminton Championship 2019 concluded on Sunday.

Sikkim Chief Minister PS Tamang was present on the final day of the championship as the chief guest.

A total of 160 players from all 8 Northeastern states participated in the championship which was organised by the Badminton Association of Sikkim (BAS).

The championship started on September 19.

In the championship, Isharani Baruah and Maini Baruah from Assam emerged champions of girls’ doubles while Suraj Goala and Angshuman Gogoi from Assam emerged as the winners of the boys’ doubles.

Maheshwari Devi Kshetrimayum from Manipur emerged champion in the girls’ single and boys’ single final was won by Bidyasagar Salam from Manipur.

In women doubles, Priya Devi Konjengbam and Purnima Devi N from Manipur emerged champions and the junior mixed doubles final was won by Vilinda Chanu Huidrom and Sirzeet Moirangthem from Manipur.

Isharani Baruah from Assam emerged champion in women’s single and Orijit Chaliha from Assam emerged as the champion of men’s singles.

Jaji Charu and Pinky Karki from Arunachal Pradesh won mixed doubles final and Unilkumar Leishangthem and Kh Punsiba Singh from Manipur became the champion of men’s doubles final.

The chief guest and guests of honour gave away medals and certificates to the winners and the runners-up in different categories of the championship.

In his address, Badminton Association of India (BAI) general secretary Ajay Kumar Singhania congratulated the entire team of BAS for successfully conducting the prestigious championship in the state.

He mentioned that the Northeast region has been producing quality and top ranking players for the country.

He also congratulated the international and top ranking players of the region for making the country proud.

Singhania further motivated players from the region to work harder to do well in the national and international level championships.

In his report of the championship, BAI joint secretary Dr Wati Julu Jamir, who was the observer of the championship, congratulated the entire team of BAS for successfully organising the championship in the international standard.

He also suggested that Sikkim can host the national championship by adding up some required infrastructures.

BAS president C Zangpo expressed his gratitude towards the state government and the CM for extending support for the grand success of the championship.

He also thanked BAI and its executive members and all organisations and individuals.

Zangpo appealed to all parents of players to continuously support and motivate their children to take them to the next level.

Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by BAS general secretary Sukanta Das.

The final day of the championship also witnessed Chabrung Dance by students of Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School and Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali dances by students of Paljor Namgyal Girls SSS.

Sagar Chhetri is Northeast Now Correspondent in Gangtok. He can be reached at: [email protected]