Kochi: As many as 455 skilled shuttlers from across the city impressed the audience with their performance on the final day of the PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship.

The Kochi leg of Season 4 of the tournament concluded today at Riz Badminton Academy, Kochi bringing out top 16 shuttlers from the city.

In the Boys Singles U-15 category, Atual John Mathew defeated S. Ashish with score 15-10,13-15, 15-10. In Girls Singles U-15 category, Anaswara Ajai defeated Nayana Oasis with score by 15-13,15-5.

Mr. Nipun Kaushal, Chief Marketing Officer, PNB MetLife said, “JBC as a tournament has grown to become one of the biggest annual national open-platform’s for young badminton enthusiasts. As a new addition Kochi has given us a tremendous response, with over 455 participants. We hope to continue the momentum in other cities.  I want to congratulate the winners who showed such passion in their performance. We wish them all the best for the finale at New Delhi.”

Gracing the closing ceremony, S.Muralidharan, Vice President of Badminton association of India, CEO of Kerala Badminton Association, Senior Badminton Official and Chief guest on the occasion said, “PNB MetLife’s Junior Badminton Championship is taking the sport of Badminton to newer heights. With the lack of recognition and encouragement given to sports such platforms bridge the gap and allow for holistic development of children. Competitions such as this enable many more children to participate in the sport, as we can see with the number of enthusiastic participants in this round.” 

The tournament, approved by Badminton Association of India (BAI), has in the past four years become one of the biggest annual national level platforms for young badminton enthusiasts. Over the years has seen a participation of over 8000 children with select players going on to participate in national and state championships as well. The competition helps in nurturing the right talent at an amateur level, thereby fostering their growth and ability to perform on a global scale. 

PNB MetLife has partnered with CRY Foundation as CSR Partner for this initiative. PNB MetLife through Junior Badminton Championship is providing equal opportunity and access for all to the sport. The objective is to use sport as an effective medium to empower children and help them undergo a transformational change. Through JBC 140 underprivileged children have been awarded scholarships over the 3 years, to play badminton. In the fourth year of the tournament, these scholarships continue to be a huge motivation for the CRY children and they look forward to participate with enthusiasm.

The next leg of this year’s championship is scheduled from 3rd to 6th July 2018, in Pune.

Details with scores are attached.

For more information and registration one can visit https://www.healthforhappiness.in/

About PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited

PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) is a joint venture between MetLife International Holdings Inc. (MIHI), Punjab National Bank Limited (PNB), Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited (JKB), M. Pallonji and Company Private Limited and other private investors, with MIHI and PNB being the majority shareholders. IRDAI Registration No. 117

For more information, visit PNB MetLife