Dr Sapam Ranjan opens Yonex-Sunrise 41st Inter District and 68th State Open Badminton Championships

OSR/DIPR
Imphal, Jul 23 : Minister for Information and Public Relations and Health, Dr Sapam Ranjan today formally opened the Yonex-Sunrise 41st Inter District and 68th State Open Badminton Championships here at Manipur Badminton Association (MBA) Indoor Stadium, DM University Campus.
Th Biswajit Singh, Minister for Power and president of MBA; H Dingo Singh, Minister Social Welfare; K Robindro, MLA Mayang Imphal AC and Chairman of MANIDCO; and P Bilash Singh, National Awardee, Director, JN Dance Academy were also present at opening ceremony of the championships that will run till July 27.
Speaking as the chief host, Th Biswajit maintained that it was the biggest badminton tournament ever organised in the State till date. A lot of young enthusiasts are seen getting keen interest these days in the discipline of badminton despite being regarded as an expensive game, he said.
He also stressed on the health benefits of indulging in any sporting events. Expressing dismay over the lack of participation amongst the guardians, members and teammates, he also urged all the game lovers to encourage the participants in future.
 Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh also noted the importance of games and sports and an array of benefits surrounding it.  He also wished all the participants to play at their best level.
Giving the presidential speech, H Dingo Singh highlighted that Manipur shines brightly in the world for its culture and sports and badminton has also become one of the important aspects in igniting the name and fame of the State. He further appealed to all the sport enthusiasts to co-operate and encourage in uplifting sports of every discipline for a better and healthier society.
Day 1 highlight
The first day of the tournament saw Imphal West and Senapati district junior boys' teams progress into the third round of the Inter District Championships with two victories.
In the junior boys' team opener, Senapati district team defeated Thoubal 2-1 to book a second round berth. Thoubal district had a good start with S Gung beating Kalo Truman 21-6, 21-13 but Senapati district team overturned the game in their favour with the pair of Kyoveio Vemai and Pfoki Liruna defeating Danish Tekcham and S Gung 21-16, 21-14 in the following boys doubles event before Kyoveko Vemai got the better of S Pinibas 21-10, 21-9 in the other boys singles match.
In another first round junior boys team clash, Imphal East got the better of Jiribam district team 2-1.
Jiribam enjoyed early advantage with Roshan Ingudam beat Matic Rohe Thiyam 18-21, 21-13, 21-12 but Imphal East's doubles pair of Matic Rohe and Shriyan Lairenmayum drew level by defeating Th Sanju Singha and Th Kamaljit Singha 21-16, 14-21, 22-20 in the following event before Shriyan overcame Sanju Singha 22-20, 22-20 in the following singles match.
Imphal West junior boys team in the meantime picked a 2-1 comeback win over Kakching district team as the boys doubles team faltered.
Thokchom Harsh gave Imphal West the 1-0 lead by defeating E Shitaljit 21-17, 21-19 in the opening singles match but Borish Salam and Harsh went down 16-21, 21-18, 13-21 in the doubles event to K Dayananda and W Juvaraj.
Chirom Bose however pulled off a 21-17, 21-17 win in the following singles match against E Richard to complete the 2-1 win.
Senapati district team also got a walkover victory against Bishnupur team in the second round before Imphal West team secured a commanding 2-0 win over Imphal East.
Thokchom Hursh won 21-6, 21-6 against Matic Rohe in the opening singles match before Lairenmayum Luwangamba and Lourembam Thoungam eased 21-7, 21-7 past Matic Rohe and Shriyan in the following doubles match.
In the opening match of the junior girls team event, Imphal West thumped Bishnupur 2-0. Leonie Tayenjam earned Imphal West the lead by defeating Christina Salam 21-2, 21-5 before Chirom Bellarix and Khangembam Senlina prevailed 21-1, 21-2 over Th Bebina and Romibala in the doubles competition.
The day also saw Senapati and Kakching district securing opening round victory in the men's team event.
In the opening match, Senapati district team edged out Imphal East 3-2 after a dismal beginning.
Senapati suffered back to back losses with Pfoki Liruna going down 21-17, 18-21, 17-21 to Jomi Singam and Elow Kaje losing 18-21, 22-20, 17-21 to Nongthombam Avinash but the doubles pair of Kyoveio Vemai and Pfoki Liruna registered a 21-18, 21-15 win over the pair of Jomi Singam and K Sandeep to set up the recovery path.
Kalo Truman then won 17-21, 21-19, 21-12 in the following singles match against K Sandeep to put Senapati on level terms before Buhbu Ladumai and Pfokrehii Nelina defeated Matic Rohe and N Avinash 21-19, 21-16 in the deciding doubles match.
In the other first round clash, Thoubal team swept 3-0 past Kakching district.
Leishangthem Unilkumar eased to a 21-9, 21-8 win over E Shitaljit to open the account for Thoubal before S Gung doubled the advantage with a 21-14, 21-14 win over E Richard.
The pair of Bidyachandra Khundrakpam and Leishangthem Unilkumar then completed the 3-0 rout with a 21-17, 21-11 win over K Dayananda and W Juvaraj.