North Zone Inter-Varsity Badminton tourney
SPORTS REPORTER
JAMMU: In their maiden participation, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra qualified for the next round of the competition along with University of Kashmir and hosts University of Jammu (JU) on the opening day of the North Zone Inter-Varsity Badminton Tournament being held under the banner of Association of Indian Universities (AIU) at twin venues, here on Monday.
While the SMVDU men clinched the thriller outplaying Bundelkhand University Jhansi 3-2, the women’s team got walkover GB Pant University in the first round of the competition but only to lose in the next round to CSK HP Krishi VIshividalaya Palampur 0-2. (Team: Ashish Yadav, Mahendra Kumar, Sajal Dixit, Deepak Jha, Anuj Sharma and Swapnil Kumar. Coach: Ashok Katal. Incharge Sports: Ajay Sharma).
The Results: Men: Ashish Yadav beat Ashutosh Bajpeyi 21-11, 21-11; Mahendra Kumar lost to Manthan Arya 15-21, 14-21. Doubles: Ashish Yadav and Deepak Jha lost to Manthan Arya and Sandeep Kumar 21-08, 21-23, 13-21. Reverse singles: Deepak Jha outplayed Sandeep Kumar 21-15, 21-11.
Similarly, JU trounced Dr YS Parmar University, Solan 3-0 to qualify for the next round of pre-quarterfinals. Earlier, JU men got bye in the opening round.
The Results: JU beat Dr YS Parmar University, Solan 3–0; JMI University, New Delhi trounced CDL University Sirsa 3–0; CSJM University Kanpur outplayed CSKUP Krishi Vishvidyala, Palampur 3–0; SMVDU Katra defeated Bundelkhand University Jhansi 3–2; GJU Hisar downed GADV University Ludhiana 3-0; Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture and Technology blanked University of Kashmir 3–0; Punjabi University Patiala beat Chandigarh University, Mohali 3–0; PAU Ludhiana defeated University of Allahabad 3–1; HP University Shimla trounced Amity University 3–2; GGS Indraprastha University outplayed BGSB University Rajouri 3–0.
Meanwhile, in women’s section, University of Kashmir girls defeated CDL University Sirsa 2-0 to qualify for the next round. The Results: Azra beat Pooja 21-12, 09-21, 21-06; Azra and Bisha defeated Pooja and Monika 21-07, 21-10. However, JU women were yet to take on their opponent in a match scheduled for late this evening.
The Results: GADV University Ludhiana beat Chandigarh University, Mohali 2–0; University of Kashmir defeated CDL University Sirsa 2–0; PU Chandigarh outplayed Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 2–1; CSK HP Krishi VIshividalaya Palampur downed SMVDU Katra 2-0; LPU Phagwara blanked BGSB University Rajouri 2–0; University of Allahabad beat CCS University Meerut 2–0; GGSIPU Delhi defeated HNBGU Srinagar, Garhwal 2–1; Lucknow University trounced PAU Ludhiana 2–0.
The competition was declared open by the Managing Director, J and K Police Housing Corporation, ADGP, Dilbag Singh, who was Chief Guest. In his inaugural address, the Chief Guest spoke to the participating teams and wished the shuttlers, especially those representing the State universities, a success in the competition.
Dean Academic Affairs, JU, Prof Neelam Saraf presided over the inaugural function. Earlier, Director Sports and Physical Education, JU, Prof. Dhian Singh Bhau welcomed the distinguished gathering. Divulging details, he informed that 41 teams in men and 32 in women section are taking part in this knock-out competition.