Bhilwara: A couple of years ago in Chandigarh, Rajasthan men’s team created history by becoming the North Zone champions for the first time and qualifying for the Senior Nationals.However, they failed to retain the crown last season. But this time around, Rajasthan shuttlers would be aiming to regain the title on their home turf when the North Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship gets underway at the Four Arms Academy in Bhilwara on Wednesday.Defending champions Haryana once again start as favourites. Rajasthan senior side is banking on international shuttlers Sanskar Saraswat and Pranay Katta to deliver an outstanding performance to help them emerge champions.Sanskar, who became the first Rajasthan shuttler to win the BWF World Super 100 title in Guwahati earlier this year, is carrying the big hopes of the home side. Since he is good at both singles and doubles, he might be playing both in the best-of-five-match tie. In the team championship, a tie consists of three singles and two doubles.
North Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship’s chief referee Vinay Joshi of Maharashtra supervising the draw process in Bhilwara on Tuesday
Pranay had finished men’s singles runners-up in the All India Senior Ranking tournament in Chennai in July. If he continues his brilliant form, Rajasthan can hope to win at least two singles.Manish Phogat, a regular practice partner of Pranay at the Bengaluru-based Centre for Excellence, is another player who can win one of the three singles for Rajasthan.Besides Sanskar, Pranay and Manish, the other seven members are not experienced enough but can provide solid support to their senior teammates.Rajasthan, who will take on Punjab in the first round, can face tough competition from holders Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh.Star-studded Haryana achieved double success last year in the senior team competition, while the Delhi team was crowned champions in both the Under-19 boys and girls categories.
Rajasthan men’s team preparing hard for the Yonex-Sunrise North Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship slated to be held from September 2 to 6 in Bhilwara
Rajasthan U-19 girls can upset defending champions Delhi and bag the title. Southpaw Parul Choudhary and Sneha Lamba have been in excellent form and can help hosts upset the fancied teams. State girls will meet Chandigarh.Organising secretary Abhishek Sharma on Tuesday stated that all participating teams including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chandigarh had practice sessions at the venue.Rajasthan players worked hard at the Forearms Badminton Academy during practice sessions. Sharma added that chief referee Vinay Joshi from Maharashtra has also arrived in Bhilwara, and the draw for the tournament was held on Tuesday evening.A meeting of team managers and technical officials was also held. He stated that on the first day of the competition, teams will advance to the pre-quarterfinals. The quarterfinals will be held on September 3, and the finals of the team events and the junior individual events will be held the following day.The quarterfinals and semifinals of the individual events will be held on Sept 5, and the finals will be held on the morning of Sept 6.Zakir Hussain, treasurer of the Rajasthan Badminton Association and manager of the state team, stated that the players are upbeat and optimistic about a better show.Rajasthan Badminton Association general secretary KK Sharma and organising secretary Abhishek Sharma are confident of putting up a good show.
