Punjab shuttlers regain trophy after 15 years

Panchkula, Jan 18 (UNI) After wandering in the woods for 15 years, Punjab today clinched the boys under-14 team title by defeating Maharashtra by 2-0 in the final of the 53rd National School Games Badminton Championship being played at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex here.

Rupinder Singh gave Punjab lead by beating Varun in well-contested games 13-21, 21-16, 22-20. The Punjab duo of Antarpreet and Kawaldeep defeated Shilok and Sudhanshu in straight games 21-8, 2-13 to lift the trophy.

Punjab's most impressive win was against second seed and runners-up Andhra Pradesh by 2-1 in the pre-quarter-final round.

Results: Team championship U-14 (final): Punjab bt Maharashtra 2-0 (Rupinder bt Varun 13-21, 21-16, 22-20, Antarpreet and Kawaldeep bt Shilok and Sudhanshu 21-8, 21-13).

Semi-finals: Punjab bt Karnataka 2-1 (Rupinder lost to Rajas Jawalkar 21-18, 9-21, 16-21, Antarpreet and Kawaldeep bt Rajas Jawalkar 21-12, 21-10, Kawaldeep bt Rakshid KV 21-2, 21-5).

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