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Kerela team receiving the winning trophy in Imphal on June 9. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, June 9 (EMN): To popularise the ball badminton, the Ball Badminton Federation of India (BBFI)is all set to open its 6th zone in the north eastern region, Secretary Y Raja Rao of BBFI said on Sunday. Presently the BBFI has five zones in India.
BBFI Secretary Raja Rao was speaking to reporters on the sideline of the closing function of the 5-day 65th Junior National Ball Badminton Championship for boys and girls in Imphal.
Though players and officials from 26 states of the country participated in the National championship which was held in Imphal, only three NE states-Assam, Manipur and Tripura participated.
In the final matches played on June 9, Kerala beat Andhra Pradesh and won the championship title in junior boy’s category. The third and fourth place title was awarded to Telengana and Maharashtra.
On the other hand Andhra Pradesh bagged the team champion’s title in girl’s category while (mixed doubles) went to Maharashtra.
Similarly Kerala and Karnataka bagged the third and fourth position in the girl’s category.
Two Myanmar ministers Myint Kyi (minister for municipality) and Than Nyunt Win (minister for electricity, technology, road and communication) from Saigang division along with Convenor RK Shivachandra of Manipur State Level Committee for Actualisation of Act East Policy, Secretary Tin Maung Swe of Saigang division and Chairman Soe Myint of Mizzima besides BFFI and Ball badminton association of Manipur officials were present during the day’s closing function.
“We’re also planning to conduct demonstration matches in Myanmar soon to introduce the game in the region,” says BBFI secretary Rao."So far nine countries have already started playing the game."
The countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Thailand, he said.
According to BBFI functionary, Ball Badminton was started in India since 1954 as a physical fitness purpose and its improvement came with the introduction of few inputs.
BFFI which is a member of Asian Ball Badminton federation has 26 affiliated bodies in the country. According to its official website, BBFI was among the first three sports federations along with Indian Athletic Federation and the Indian Hockey Federation to form the Indian Olympic Association in 1961.