G.D. Birla Memorial Masters badminton
The pair of India’s badminton stalwart Aparna Popat and Naheed Divecha and RCF’s Ajay Srivastava were crowned champions in the women’s doubles 75+ age group and men’s singles 45+ group respectively in the 24th G.D. Birla memorial masters badminton tournament sponsored by Aditya Birla financial services and organized by Badminton 45 under the auspices of GMBA and MBA at the Bombay Gymkhana badminton courts.
Ajay Srivastava
The women’s doubles 75+ age group event which was introduced for the first time in the tournament was dominated by the top seeds Aparna and Naheed of Bombay Gymkhana. In the final, they comfortably beat the second seeds Deanne Rodrigues and Surpiya Devgun 21-8, 21-16 to win the title.
In the men’s singles professionals’ group, Mohit Kanani displayed exceptional skills as he overcame the stiff challenge of Sanjay Golbare 21-14, 21-19 to emerge victorious while, in the men’s doubles professionals’ group, the top seeds Dinesh Golbare and Manoj Nachnekar defeated the second seeds Anand Mhaskar and Sanjay Golbare 21-19, 21-10.
Hosts Bombay Gymkhana ‘A’ beat P.J. Hindu Gymkhana ‘A’ 2-1 to win the elite group team championship and MCF ‘A’ with a 2-0 win over WCG won the plate group. In the men’s 45+ open group, the top seeds Ayaz Bilawala and Shailesh Daga of Bombay Gymkhana won the doubles while, BKLP’s Ajay Srivastava took home the singles title. Glittering trophies, cash prizes, medals and certificates were awarded to the finalists. Mrs. Rajashree Birla was the guest of honour at the prize distribution ceremony.
FINAL Results –
Women’s doubles 75+ age group –
Aparna Popat & Naheed Divecha bt Deanne Rodrigues & Supriya Devgun 21-8, 21-16.
Men’s professional singles –
Mohit Kanani bt Sanjay Golbare 21-14, 21-19.
Men’s professional doubles –
Dinesh Golbare & Manoj Nachnekar bt Anand Mhaskar & Sanjay Golbare 21-19, 21-10.
Team championship (Elite) –
Bombay Gymkhana ‘A’ bt P.J. Hindu Gymkhana ‘A’ 2-1.
Team championship (Plate) –
MCF ‘A’ bt WCG 2-0.
Men’s singles (open) 45+ age group –
Ajay Srivastava bt Dinesh Lalwani 21-14, 21-9.
Men’s doubles (open) 45+ age group –
Ayaz Bilawala & Shailesh Daga bt Mayur Tawade & P.M. Bala 23-21, 21-13.
Men’s doubles 80+ age group –
Mangarish Palekar & Shailesh Daga bt Sushant Niddodi & Yogesh Padukone 21-17, 21-19.
Men’s doubles 100+ age group –
Hubert Miranda & Sushant Niddodi bt Mayur Tawade & Milind Ghate 21-18, 16-21, 21-18.
Mixed Doubles 80+ age group –
Ayaz Bilawala & Aparna Popat bt Shailesh Daga & Naheed Divecha 21-10, 21-12.