NARAYANA Vidyalayam, Chinchbhavan Under-14 boys team emerged champions in the DSO Maharashtra State Badminton Championship at the District Sports Complex in Ahmednagar. The two-day tournament was organised by Ahmednagar District Sports Office under auspices of the State sports department. Sairaj Nayse and Shreyas Kuthe displayed excellent performance to help Narayana maintain their unbeaten run in the season.

 

Narayana, who qualified for the State tournament after emerging Divisional champions in Gondia last month, shocked formidable Pune 2-1 in the final. Narayana’s Devansh Hingnekar lost the first singles. However, Sairaj and Shreyas combined well to win the doubles to level it 1-1. In the deciding second singles, Sairaj clinched the title with a straight-game victory over his Pune rival.

 

Earlier on Thursday, Narayana defeated Nashik in the quarter-final and then booked their place in the summit clash by upsetting Mumbai in the semi-final. Sports teacher Surjit Singh accompanied the team as coach. In the U-14 boys individual trials held after the team finals, Sairaj did well and secured a place in Maharashtra squad which will compete in the forthcoming SGFI School Nationals.