CITY’S Krisha Soni has been given top billing in the Diffusion Engineers Ltd Nagpur’s 1st Maharashtra State Under-19 Selection Badminton Tournament that will be held in memory of NK Garg at Arundhati Arun Badminton Academy, Besa, Nagpur from June 25. Nagpur will be hosting the opening state-level tournament of the Maharashtra Badminton Association’s 2025–26 calendar — marking the return of a major event to the city after a significant gap. “In the four-day tournament, Krisha, who has BAI Rank of 35, is top seed in the girls singles. Apart from her, there are three other players from Nagpur who have been given seedings in singles apart from a mixed doubles pair,” informed Mangesh Kashikar, Organising Secretary and Secretary of Nagpur District Badminton Association, also Senior Vice-President, MBA during a press conference on Monday.

 

“Nishika Gokhe and Riddima Sarpate are 7th and 8th seeded players respectively in the girls singles while Ameya Naktode is the best singles player at 9th among 11 boys seeds in singles. Krisha and her Pune partner Aditya Tripathi are second seeds in the mixed double event,” Kashikar added. In the boys singles, Tripathi, who has BAI Rank of 9, is the top seed. Apart from the above mentioned events, there will be boys and girls doubles also. “We have an overwhelming response with a total of 247 entries, compared to 180 entries last year at Nanded, showing a sharp rise in enthusiasm and participation. As many as 75 players from Nagpur are also taking part in the meet,” said Kashikar. The event is being organised by Nagpur District Badminton Association under the auspices of Maharashtra Badminton Association.

 

This tournament holds key importance as one of the official Maharashtra State selection events for Team Maharashtra Under-19, which will represent the state at the West Zone Badminton Championship 2025–26. Pune’s Vinay Joshi will be the Chief Referee and will be assisted Dy Referee Parbhat Kumbhar and Kaustubh Dhupe (Match Control). MLC Sandip Joshi will inaugurate the event at 11.30 am on Wednesday in the august presence of guests of honour — Arun Lakhani – Treasurer, BAI & President, MBA; Prashant Garg – CMD, Diffusion Engineers Ltd; Shirish Boralkar – Dy President, MBA; Siddharth Patil – Jt Secretary, MBA and Kashikar. Diffusion Engineers Ltd Nagpur — a reputed, Listed company from Nagpur and India’s leading manufacturer and supplier of welding products and equipment is the main sponsors while Meditrina Institute of Medical Science, Nagpur are the medical partner. Apna Dhaba NH1 is the food partner. Anant Apte (Secretary, Events and Tournament, NDBA), Madhavi Kashikar Hedaoo (Secretary, Coaching, NDBA), Gurdeep Singh Arora and Neha Gosavi (EC Members, NDBA) were present in the presser.