Amravati, — The district stadium here staged a competitive Maharashtra State Sub‑Junior selection badminton tournament recently, where several young shuttlers produced eye‑catching performances across the U‑11 and U‑13 categories.
Visiting Nagpur players among the medalists
Players from Nagpur featured prominently. In the U‑11 boys’ singles final, Raghav Niwarti of Nagpur finished runner‑up, taking silver after a three‑game match against Pune’s top seed Shaunak Kelkar. The match scores were 13‑15, 18‑16, 15‑11. Earlier, Raghav had beaten Swaroop Mande of Ahilyanagar 15‑5, 15‑6 in the semifinal and prevailed in a tight quarterfinal against Thane’s Yohaan Nair 15‑17, 15‑5, 15‑6.
In the U‑13 boys’ singles event, Nagpur’s Ojas Landge reached the semifinals and secured a bronze medal after a close three‑game loss to Palghar’s top seed Rudra Manohar, 16‑18, 16‑14, 13‑15. Ojas had earlier recorded a notable straight‑games victory over Raghav Niwarti in an all‑Nagpur quarter/semifinal meeting, 15‑12, 15‑12, to confirm his place on the podium.
On the girls’ side, the U‑11 doubles bronze went to a Nagpur‑Wardha pairing: Rajnandini Sayam (Nagpur) and Sanvi Barwat (Wardha). The duo won their quarterfinal 15‑8, 15‑11 before falling to the top‑seeded pair of Keyara Sakhare and Krisha Goyal 2‑15, 4‑15 in the semifinal.
All the Nagpur district officials congratulated all the medal‑winning shuttlers.
Format, results and local significance
The selection event at the Amravati district stadium followed the state federation’s format for sub‑junior selection, with knockout matches deciding qualifiers and medals. The tournament attracted youngsters from several districts across the region and served as a platform for state selection committees to assess emerging talent.
- Venue: District stadium, Amravati.
- Categories: U‑11 boys’ singles, U‑11 girls’ doubles, U‑13 boys’ singles (among others).
- Notable medalists: Raghav Niwarti (silver, U‑11 boys), Ojas Landge (bronze, U‑13 boys), Rajnandini Sayam & Sanvi Barwat (bronze, U‑11 girls’ doubles).
The presence of strong junior players at the Amravati venue highlights the district stadium’s role in hosting state‑level competitions, offering local fans an opportunity to watch rising stars and providing experience to organisers in conducting age‑group events. For the players, such tournaments are critical stepping stones toward state camps and national selection pathways.
| Event | Player(s) | Medal / Result | Key score |
|---|---|---|---|
| U‑11 Boys' Singles | Raghav Niwarti (Nagpur) | Silver | 13‑15, 18‑16, 15‑11 (final) |
| U‑13 Boys' Singles | Ojas Landge (Nagpur) | Bronze | 16‑18, 16‑14, 13‑15 (semifinal) |
| U‑11 Girls' Doubles | Rajnandini Sayam (Nagpur) & Sanvi Barwat (Wardha) | Bronze | 15‑8, 15‑11 (QF); 2‑15, 4‑15 (SF) |
Officials from the participating districts — listed in tournament communications — extended congratulations to the medal winners, underlining the competitive standard on display. The tournament also allowed local coaches and selectors to observe technical and mental attributes of players under pressure situations, particularly in three‑game matches that tested endurance and shot selection.
With Maharashtra’s badminton calendar hosting several selection events ahead of national age‑group competitions, performances at Amravati will be factored into district and zonal deliberations. For Amravati, successfully staging the meet adds to the city’s growing profile as a venue for youth sport in Vidarbha, and strengthens calls by local coaches to invest further in training infrastructure and sustained grassroots programmes.
