City girl shines at Junior National Ball Badminton Championship

Manisha, a Class X student of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Adarsh Nagar, has brought laurels to her school and family by being declared the best player of India at the recently held Junior National Ball Badminton Championship in Tamil Nadu.

Coming from a modest background, Manisha’s father Dhan Bahadur works as a cook. Speaking to The Tribune, her mother Neeru expressed gratitude towards Manisha’s coach, Inderjit Kumar, who has been a constant source of support. She said that whenever the family faced financial difficulties, the coach stepped in to help them and ensured that Manisha’s training never suffered.

Manisha follows a disciplined routine. She attends school in the morning and in the evening, she goes to DSSD School for practice. Interestingly, despite her busy schedule, she also takes time to provide basic training to beginner-level children, helping them learn the fundamentals of the sport.

Now back from the championship, Manisha is focusing on her Class X board examinations. However, her aspirations remain firmly rooted in sports. “I want to build my career in sports, and if I get a job in the future, I want it to be through sports,” she said.

Recalling her journey, Manisha credited her school teacher Sharandeep Kaur who introduced her to ball badminton two years ago. “She encouraged me to take up the game, that is how I met Inderjit sir and here I am today. I will continue to work hard. I will also be going on an international tour soon,” she added.

Her success has also drawn appreciation from school authorities and local sports bodies, who hope her journey will motivate more girls to take up sports. Teachers describe Manisha as focused, humble, and resilient. With continued guidance and institutional support, many believe she has the potential to shine at the international level and become a role model for aspiring young athletes.