The Punjab State Senior Badminton Championship 2024 officially kicked off at the renowned Raizada Hansraj Badminton Stadium in Jalandhar on Saturday. The event, organized by the District Badminton Association (DBA), Jalandhar, will run until December 2, 2024, with approximately 200 players from across the state competing for top honors.
Speaking about the championship, DBA Member Secretary Ritin Khanna shared that the opening ceremony was graced by Sh. Swapan Sharma (IPS), Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar, as the Chief Guest. During his address, Swapan Sharma emphasized the significant role sports play in an individual’s overall development.
He stated, "Sports are not only about physical endurance, but they also greatly contribute to personality development, instilling values such as discipline, teamwork, and perseverance." He also congratulated the organizers and the entire DBA Jalandhar team for their efforts in developing the stadium into a premier sports facility.
The ceremony also honored several international badminton players from Punjab who have made notable contributions to the sport. Jalandhar players Manya Ralhan, Divyam Sachdeva, and Mridul Jha were presented with cash prizes in recognition of their outstanding achievements.
Additionally, S. Vijaydeep Singh, coach of the Indian Badminton team that won the prestigious Thomas Cup, was also felicitated, along with former international player Sachin Ratti.DBA Secretary Ritin Khanna announced that the winners of this championship will go on to represent Punjab at the upcoming National Badminton Championship in Bengaluru this December.
The event was also attended by senior officials from the Punjab Badminton Association, including Rakesh Khanna, Sandeep Rinwa, Chitranjan Bansal, Naresh Budhia, Anil Bhatti, Shamsher Dhillon, Vishal Rallan, and Dheeraj Sharma. The District Badminton Association (DBA), Jalandhar, expressed its gratitude to sponsors Ghanshyam Sweets and Victor for their generous support in making the event a success.