Singles winners get cars in Junior Badminton National Championships

What’s The Story?

The organizers at the recently-concluded Junior National Badminton Championships in Guwahati shocked everyone by handing over car keys to singles winners, whereas doubles winners received Rs. 52000 or Rs. 26000 per player. The U-19 girls’ singles champion, 16-year-old Aakarshi Kashyap and U-19 boys’ singles champion, 18-year-old Aryamann Tandon were awarded a Maruti Suzuki Alto Car each as the champions’ prize.

Quite obviously, both were delighted to receive such a prize as they became proud owners of four-wheelers. According to the organizers, a single car cannot be divided into two players and therefore, they gave away cash to doubles winners.

The Context

In other racket sports like tennis, table tennis, squash, doubles games do not get equal status as singles. In badminton, the scenario is different.

The doubles game is not the secondary event here, rather it gets equal importance. Although, prizes may have varied here, a tournament like this will surely produce future stars for India.

The Heart of the Matter

Tandon and Kashyap registered wins in their respective categories in contrasting styles on Monday. The top seeded Kashyap took on the eighth seeded Vaidehi Choudhari in the final and she claimed a 22-20, 21-11 win.

On the other hand, the second seeded Tandon defeated giant-killer Rahul Bhardhvaj in rather an exciting game. He won it after going down in the first game by 10-21. In the second game, he launched a comeback by claiming it, 21-18. In the decider, he took the game away from Rahul by winning it, 21-19.

What’s Next?

Badminton has become one of the prime sports in India. After Pullela Gopichand, the success of Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Parupalli Kashyap and many others has inspired the kids in numbers across the country. These junior champions will hopefully follow in the footsteps of these legends.

Author’s Take

Personally, I would have been glad if all the winners were given the same prize. Even, Badminton World Federation provides a slightly higher share to doubles winners since the amount is to be divided between two players. Nonetheless, I want these young champions to bring laurels to the country.