Team Bashers bag EBC title

DAMMAM — Evenlode Badminton Club (EBC), Dammam, successfully conducted its Team Event Badminton Doubles Tournament at the new 5-court badminton complex in Khalidiya here recently. Players from India, Pakistan, United Kingdom, Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore took part in the tournament which was divided into 5 teams as Team Smashers, Team Blasters, Team Shuttlers, Team Battledoers and Team Bashers. The tournament committee was led by chairman Naufal. The other members were Nooruddin (deputy chairman), Biju, Illyas, Ratheesh, Sudheer, Thahir, Azeem, Anjan, Binu and Suraj. In all, 600 games were played in one and a half day. Many thrilling matches were witnessed in levels 1, 2 and 3 categories as well as junior-level singles and doubles. With a margin of 8 points, Team Bashers emerged champion. The team, captained by Thaju, included Santhosh (vice captain), Fahad Khalid, Khairul, Nousheer, Wesley, Ansari, Prince, Shafi, Shamnad, Illyas, Sharafudeen, Niyas, Ali and Khaleel. Team Blasters, led by Aslam Achu, stood runner-up. The other members were Raheem (vice captain), Ali, Navas, Sabeer, Mustansir, Sabiq, Najeeb, Aseem, Binu, Jaleel, Finoz, Afis and Shameem. In the special event for kids, the sub-junior boys’ singles title was won by Nabeel, who beat Misbah in a close match. In the under 10 Midget Singles Category, Fawaz withstood a spirited challenge from Nathan at 15-12, 15-10. Evenlode Badminton Club coach Baig thanked the tournament committee for conducting the tournament in a professional manner. EBC President Tony Abraham congratulated the winners and runners-up and appreciated the tournament committee, which did a professional job. He also mentioned that the Evenlode Badminton Club is into a new kids badminton development program to find fine talents and train them to be tomorrow’s champions under certified coaches of World Badminton Federation (BWF). Interested parents may contact the EBC management team on [email protected]; +9665-51736550. — SG