In this blog post, I cover the Grand Finale of the 3rd PNB Metlife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC 3), which took place on July 28, 2017, at the Thyagraj Sports Complex in Delhi.
As curtains fell on the Season 3 of PNB Metlife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC 3), 10 young shuttlers were crowned as champions and 16 underprivileged children were granted scholarships for a year*.
[* PNB MetLife has partnered with Child Rights & You (CRY) for the CSR leg of the tournament. 16 national badminton scholarships were awarded to raise talent from economically weaker sections of the society, in addition to the 32 granted during the past two seasons. The scholarships provide the children with training under the guidance of professional coaches, equipment and cover other sports related expenses.]
All winners in five age groups (i.e. U-9, U-11, U-13, U-15, and U-17) were felicitated by the Chief Guest, Santosh Gangwar, Minister of State for Finance, Government of India and the Guest of Honor, Ashwini Ponnappa, Gold Medalist at Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 and Bronze Medalist at BWF World Championships, London 2011.
In her speech for winners and participants, Ashwini Ponnappa encouraged young revelers by saying, "I am glad that Badminton, one of the most popular sports in India, has gradually seen an image shift from a recreational sport to a professional. I'm delighted to see these young confident kids play the sport with such finesse. I urge more parents to motivate their children in taking up badminton and appreciate organizations like PNB MetLife and Sara Foundation who have built national platforms for children at grassroots' level across India."
Sameer Bansal, Director Bancassurance and Interim CMO, PNB MetLife, said, "Three years ago, PNB MetLife strengthened their proposition 'physical fitness is equal to fiscal fitness' under the umbrella brand of 'PlayForHappiness' with the launch of initiatives like PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship and PNB MetLife Satara Hill Half Marathon. I am delighted to share that as a brand, which values health, wellness and encourages family time and teamwork, we have been taking up the cause of badminton in a big way."
He further added, "I'm proud to say that the JBC tournament has grown from strength-to-strength becoming one of the biggest annual national open-platform for young badminton enthusiasts to have hosted over 15,000 children cumulatively from all three seasons. The tournament has been applauded and graced by several Olympic, World, International, National players and Champions apart from eminent personalities from all walks of life. I would like to take this opportunity and thank our partners Sara Foundation and CRY for their support, hard work and dedication to make JBC a successful tournament."
Ashish Srivastava, Chairman, JBC Organising Committee, said, "We are happy to see the consistent exhilarating response from participants in this third edition of the tournament. This is a testament to the tournament's success and popularity of badminton as a sport in India. I want to congratulate all the winners who deserved this victory and all the participants who showed zeal and enthusiasm in their performance. We will continue identifying hidden talent in our country and provide these players a platform to showcase their skills. With support from PNB MetLife, we are moving strongly in the direction to and we will surely produce future badminton stars of India. Sara Foundation remains committed to promoting sports and will further strengthen our mission."
Soha Moitra, Regional Director, North for CRY – Child Rights and You said, "We are glad to be associating with PNB MetLife's Junior Badminton Championship as the charity partner. Having worked to advocate children's rights for close to four decades, we have witnessed deprivation that children face in India. At the same time, we have also seen the change that ensues, when these children are given adequate opportunities and made to realize their full potential. Across many of our project areas, sports have been an effective medium of empowerment for children and transformational change has been witnessed, impacting not just their confidence but also educational indicators. The rigorous badminton training sessions with professional coaches for our children in project areas across cities will give them the exposure that they truly deserve and hopefully inspire them to stand up for their rights and work towards a bright future."
"Also, PNB MetLife's support will further facilitate our efforts to ensure that children in India get adequate care, nutrition, quality education and are protected so that they can lead a happy childhood. Investing in children should be a priority, since a country's growth and development is best reflected by the state of its children", she added.
The names of top 10 Winners and Runner-Ups of the PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) Season 3 are:
Under 17
Girls Singles
Winner - Likhita Srivastava from Delhi
Runner-up - K Maheshwari Devi from Telangana
As curtains fell on the Season 3 of PNB Metlife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC 3), 10 young shuttlers were crowned as champions and 16 underprivileged children were granted scholarships for a year*.
[* PNB MetLife has partnered with Child Rights & You (CRY) for the CSR leg of the tournament. 16 national badminton scholarships were awarded to raise talent from economically weaker sections of the society, in addition to the 32 granted during the past two seasons. The scholarships provide the children with training under the guidance of professional coaches, equipment and cover other sports related expenses.]
All winners in five age groups (i.e. U-9, U-11, U-13, U-15, and U-17) were felicitated by the Chief Guest, Santosh Gangwar, Minister of State for Finance, Government of India and the Guest of Honor, Ashwini Ponnappa, Gold Medalist at Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 and Bronze Medalist at BWF World Championships, London 2011.
In her speech for winners and participants, Ashwini Ponnappa encouraged young revelers by saying, "I am glad that Badminton, one of the most popular sports in India, has gradually seen an image shift from a recreational sport to a professional. I'm delighted to see these young confident kids play the sport with such finesse. I urge more parents to motivate their children in taking up badminton and appreciate organizations like PNB MetLife and Sara Foundation who have built national platforms for children at grassroots' level across India."
Sameer Bansal, Director Bancassurance and Interim CMO, PNB MetLife, said, "Three years ago, PNB MetLife strengthened their proposition 'physical fitness is equal to fiscal fitness' under the umbrella brand of 'PlayForHappiness' with the launch of initiatives like PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship and PNB MetLife Satara Hill Half Marathon. I am delighted to share that as a brand, which values health, wellness and encourages family time and teamwork, we have been taking up the cause of badminton in a big way."
He further added, "I'm proud to say that the JBC tournament has grown from strength-to-strength becoming one of the biggest annual national open-platform for young badminton enthusiasts to have hosted over 15,000 children cumulatively from all three seasons. The tournament has been applauded and graced by several Olympic, World, International, National players and Champions apart from eminent personalities from all walks of life. I would like to take this opportunity and thank our partners Sara Foundation and CRY for their support, hard work and dedication to make JBC a successful tournament."
Ashish Srivastava, Chairman, JBC Organising Committee, said, "We are happy to see the consistent exhilarating response from participants in this third edition of the tournament. This is a testament to the tournament's success and popularity of badminton as a sport in India. I want to congratulate all the winners who deserved this victory and all the participants who showed zeal and enthusiasm in their performance. We will continue identifying hidden talent in our country and provide these players a platform to showcase their skills. With support from PNB MetLife, we are moving strongly in the direction to and we will surely produce future badminton stars of India. Sara Foundation remains committed to promoting sports and will further strengthen our mission."
Soha Moitra, Regional Director, North for CRY – Child Rights and You said, "We are glad to be associating with PNB MetLife's Junior Badminton Championship as the charity partner. Having worked to advocate children's rights for close to four decades, we have witnessed deprivation that children face in India. At the same time, we have also seen the change that ensues, when these children are given adequate opportunities and made to realize their full potential. Across many of our project areas, sports have been an effective medium of empowerment for children and transformational change has been witnessed, impacting not just their confidence but also educational indicators. The rigorous badminton training sessions with professional coaches for our children in project areas across cities will give them the exposure that they truly deserve and hopefully inspire them to stand up for their rights and work towards a bright future."
"Also, PNB MetLife's support will further facilitate our efforts to ensure that children in India get adequate care, nutrition, quality education and are protected so that they can lead a happy childhood. Investing in children should be a priority, since a country's growth and development is best reflected by the state of its children", she added.
The names of top 10 Winners and Runner-Ups of the PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) Season 3 are:
Under 17
Girls Singles
Winner - Likhita Srivastava from Delhi
Runner-up - K Maheshwari Devi from Telangana
Boys Singles
Winner - Tarun Gakhad from Haryana
Runner-up - Abhinn Vasisht from Haryana
Under 15
Girls Singles
Winner - K Maheshwari Devi from Telangana
Runner-up - Aradhyaa Kushwaha from Uttar Pradesh
Boys Singles
Winner - Shubham Patel from Rajasthan
Runner-up - Manav Choudhary from Haryana
Under 13
Girls Singles
Winner - Anya Chauhan from Uttar Pradesh
Runner-up - Hothrisri Thatigutla from Andhra Pradesh
Boys Singles
Winner - Raghav from Haryana
Runner-up - Manraj Singh from Delhi
Under 11
Girls Singles
Winner - Unnati Hooda from Haryana
Runner-up - Prashansa Bonam from Telangana
Boys Singles
Winner - Neer Nehwal from Delhi
Runner-up - Devang Tomar from Delhi
Under 9
Girls Singles
Winner - Srija None from Uttar Pradesh
Runner-up - Angel Punera from Uttar Pradesh
Boys Singles
Winner - Aksh Singh from Uttar Pradesh
Runner-up - Prateek Koundilya from Karnataka
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Great focus on the fitness and comradeship of the spirit of sports with PNB....looks like it was a super great events
ReplyDeleteOh this is a great opportunity for the youngsters other than cricket craze for years. But they already have events now with covid?
ReplyDeleteThough I m not much a sport person but this event hosted by PNB looking so promising. Thanks for sharing great details about the event.
ReplyDeleteGood to see these amazing young champions. This is a great initiative by PNB to promote health and fitness among people.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a great event and such a great way to motivate young athletes to play a sport other than cricket.
ReplyDeleteHaving such sports for youngsters other than cricket is a great opportunity given by PNB. It's a great sport and has great physical benefits.
ReplyDeleteGood to see kids getting involved in sports. You have covered the e ent really well.
ReplyDelete-Ujjwal Mishra MywordsMywisdom
Manisha - Great to know PNB MetLife gave the youngsters such an opportunity. The event looks good and so good to know that so many students got scholarship.
ReplyDeleteThis is really amazing! It was great to know that more people are gaining interest in badminton and also that PNB Metlife is giving scholarships to kids!
ReplyDeleteThis was really a great initiative by PNB to organise badminton championship at a junior level. Such platforms offer the sport and sportsmen a great morale. I really love the way you have narrated the event. I am sure watching such a competitive sport live must have been a real thrill.
ReplyDeleteU had such a great time watching the event. The post made me nostalgia as I use to play badminton a lot during my school days. PNB should continue doing this.
ReplyDeleteI have never watched any badminton tournament actually. I have always played it though. This is such a nice post reminding me to go watch one of the tournaments and cheer the players of my favourite sport.
ReplyDeleteGood to see little one's performing ,hats off to their dedication.
ReplyDeleteGreat initiative by PNB
PNB Metlife is a fabulous initiative altogether. The little one performing makes my heart melt. Cheering my favourites is the best part.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to watch these little players playing so well. This is a good initiative by PNB.
ReplyDelete