Team Petroleum Sports Promotional Board (PSPB) won its 17^th team championship during the 73rd Inter State Inter Zonal Championship at Divisional Sports Complex at Mankapur in Nagpur. The mixed double pair of PSPB Pranaav Reddy and N Sikki Reddy had the hold of the game since the start. With B Sai Praneeth and G Rutvika Shivani winning the mens single and womens singles respectively, the PSPB emerged as the winners with a match score of 3 ? 0.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari along with Maharashtra Badminton Association (MBA) President Arun Lakhani handed over the trophy to the winners. The 73^rd Inter-state Inter-zonal Badminton Championship concluded amid much fanfare at the Divisional Sports Complex in Nagpur on Friday. The winners were presented with a cheque of rupees three lacs while the runners up were awarded a cheque of rupees two lacs.

The finals was a cut throat competition that put on display all of the skill and talent of the top state-level players, which made for a thrilling precursor to the 82^nd Senior National Badminton Championship, which began today (4^th November, 2017). Gadkari and Lakhani officially declared the Senior Nationals open in a dazzling ceremony, which saw the pair illuminate a breathtaking display of lights arranged in the shape of a badminton shuttle. International veterans from Nagpur, CD Deoras and Pradeep Gandhe were also felicitated for their immense contribution in the field of badminton in the state of Maharashtra.

Arun Lakhani said, I would like to congratulate all the champions of the 73^rd Inter-state Inter-zonal Badminton Championship. The competition this year was extremely close. Most of the matches turned out to be riveting contests that went down to the wire and, as such, we couldn’t have asked for a better spectacle to whet the appetite of the fans assembled here ahead of the 82^nd Senior Nationals.

He further added, We want to make the Nationals a premium event that the Indian players look forward to.  This is our step towards making this sport inspirational. Nearly 22,000 school children will be witnessing the action live here. Our motive behind this is to give the children exposure to badminton at early stage and to encourage them to come out and play. I would also appeal the Government that with the help of associations, the already existing stadiums should be made available for the players and the infrastructure should be utilised for the betterment of sports and sportspersons.

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Nitin Gadkari said, I am happy to see players across India present in Nagpur. Nagpur being my hometown, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all. Arun Lakhani is committed to this sport and this can be seen by the kind of arrangements MBA has made for all the players. Our Mayor too has provided all the support to the players who have travelled. The opportunity that the players get in the events like these is important. The team that does not succeed should take it as learning and should never stop playing. I would appeal to all the players to focus and nurture their talent. Congratulations to the winners and best wishes to everyone.

The Senior Nationals starting from tomorrow (November 5, 2017) are expected to see a greater turnout with India’s most legendary shuttlers set to match wits.

Check out the pictures of the same below: