Calicut varsity claims title

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE, DEC. 9. Calicut University women's team won the All India ball badminton tournament for the seventh consecutive year, finishing the league semifinals stage with an all win record. After defeating Bangalore in the morning session, Calicut rounded off the league with an easy 29-20, 29-14 win over Bharatiyar in the final session.

Bangalore University played well in the final session to pull off a 24-29, 29-20, 29-13 victory over M.G. University (Kottayam) and finish second in the four-team league.

The match between Calicut and Bangalore was virtually the title deciding fixture. Calicut packed too many guns for the host with Sandhya and Usha Kumari playing excellently. Sandhya in the centre position played a superb pivotal game while Usha Kumari came up with some timely smashes. Kumuda played a lone hand for Bangalore as Calicut wrapped up the game 29-13, 29-17.

Mahatma Gandhi (M.G.) kept its chances of finishing runner-up alive with a creditable 29-15, 24-29, 29-24 win over Bharatiyar in the morning. But host Bangalore fought back, with some egging on by the partisan crowd, to take the second spot.

Former international athlete Reeth Abraham and Minister for Women and Child Welfare Smt. Motamma were the chief guests at the prize distribution function.

Final placings: 1. Calicut, 2. Bangalore, 3. M.G. University, 4. Bharatiyar.

The results: Calicut bt Bangalore 29-13, 29-17; M.G. Kottayam bt Bharatiyar 29-15, 24-29, 29-24; Calicut bt Bharatiyar 29-20, 29- 14; Bangalore bt M.G. Kottayam 24-29, 29-20, 29-13.

The Calicut University team, the winner of the All-India women's ball badminton tournament, in Bangalore, on Saturday. Standing (l-r) P. Cheiro (coach), Manju Shah, Girija K.O., P. Kavitha, Ginsy and Jessy Paul (Manager). Sitting (l-r): Savitha, Sandhya, Usha Kumari and K. Asha.

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Section  : Sport
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