Smash hit: Jalandhar duo wins silver at national badminton tournament

Jalandhar-based shuttlers Inayat Gulati and Zorawar Singh have brought pride to Punjab by winning a silver medal in the All-India Sub-Junior Badminton Ranking Tournament, which concluded in Goa yesterday. The duo secured their win in the mixed doubles under-15 category, showcasing impressive talent and determination.

Each player was awarded a cash prize of Rs 7,500 at the tournament. In recognition of their achievement, the District Badminton Association (DBA), Jalandhar, has also announced a cash award of Rs 21,000 each for both players. The pair trains at the Ratti Badminton Academy in Jalandhar.

Ritin Khanna, secretary of the Punjab Badminton Association, praised the young athletes for their dedication. “Both players have been relentlessly showing their mettle, and the association will continue to support them in every way possible,” he said. He added that with over 3,000 entries in the tournament, Inayat and Zorawar had to compete against India’s top 30 players in the qualifying rounds to make it to the main draw. The players returned to a warm welcome at Chandigarh Airport this evening.

Inayat’s mother, Shivani Gulati, expressed her pride and joy, saying, “Our daughter’s hard work and the guidance of her coaches have brought her this far. We hope she continues this winning streak.” Inayat, a student of Delhi Public School, Jalandhar, had also reached the quarterfinals in the singles category at the same tournament. Last year, she achieved a similar feat at the national-level event held in Noida.

Zorawar’s journey has been especially inspiring. After being diagnosed with jaundice, he was forced to take a break from the sport for over a year due to severe weakness. However, his determination helped him stage a remarkable comeback. “He recovered well and has made such a strong return,” said members of the DBA.