Bhawanipur Badminton Championship 2024 – BBC 2.0

“The goal is not just to win,
But to do so with grace and sportsmanship”
— Saina Nehwal

The Bhawanipur Education Society College hosted a three-day intra-college badminton tournament at the College Turf from 11th to 14th November 2024, attracting over 150 enthusiastic athletes. With the support of 12 dedicated volunteers, the event featured over 150 matches in total, showcasing the vibrant spirit of competition and love for the sport. The point structure evolved throughout the tournament, with 11-point rounds in the first stage and quarterfinals, increasing to 15 points in the semi-finals, and culminating in 21 points for the finals. The meticulously planned schedule ensured a seamless and thrilling progression of matches.

The first day of the BESC Intra-College Badminton Championship began on November 11th, at 9 AM at the college turf, kicking off with the men’s singles category with an active participation of over 100 students, with 50 advancing to the next round by the end of the day. The opening day featured intense, high-energy matches that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Several matches were closely contested, with players battling through long rallies and tight points. One thrilling encounter ended with a narrow two-point victory, showcasing the skill level on display. Some surprising upsets added to the drama, with a few underdogs defeating higher-ranked competitors.

The second day of the BBC witnessed intense matches in the women’s singles category, with 26 girls fighting for the champion’s title from 9 A.M. onwards at the College Turf. The atmosphere was electric, with spectators providing strong support throughout the day. As the matches progressed, the event demonstrated the talent and determination of the participants, setting a high standard for the remaining rounds.

By the end of the first leg of Day 2, the players who fought their way to the semi-finals were determined. These players displayed grace and determination, earning their place in the next stage of the competition. The first event of the day concluded at 2 P.M. with great anticipation for the upcoming semi-final matches, as the excitement continued to build. The second half of the day started after an hour’s break at 3 P.M. with the first round of the men’s doubles category. With a total of 52 doubles pairs and 104 participants, the matches started sharply at 3:30 P.M. The atmosphere was charged as players warmed up and practised while waiting for their turn. Spectators filled the college turf and even watched from the college building, creating a lively environment. By the end of Day 2 at 7 P.M., the event successfully had 27 pairs moving on to the next qualifying knockout round after a charged-up first round.

On 14th November, the 3rd and final day, and also the most exciting day of the Bhawanipur Badminton Championship, the matches began at 9:00 A.M. with the second round of the men’s doubles category. After the second round, there was a 30-minute break for players to rest and plan for the next rounds. At 11:30 A.M., the third round began, featuring a mix of experienced players and some talented first-semester underdogs. Despite the heat, the players continued to perform at a high level, showing great sportsmanship. The competition then moved straight into the quarterfinals, keeping to the tight schedule. The teams that made it to the semi-finals were Hameez Akthar/Manish Sharma and Dhruv Pandey/Harsh Aaryan. Although they didn’t reach the final, their matches were very close and went down to the wire. At 1:10 P.M., the semi-final results were announced, and the finalists were revealed: Pranjal Agarwal & Sanket Prasad and Rajdeep Bala & Mohammad Affif Hossain Mullick. These two teams would compete for the championship title, capping off an exciting and action-packed competition.

The closing ceremony of the BBC was graced by the presence of the trustees of the BESC College, Mr. Umesh Thakker and Mr. Jitendra Shah, along with the Rector and Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Dilip Shah. The finals commenced shortly after the knockout rounds wrapped up at 6:30 P.M., featuring an intense match between Srijoni Mullick and Nisha Akhtar. Srijoni dominated the game, showcasing exceptional skill and precision. The match concluded decisively in Srijoni’s favour, with an impressive final score of 21-9. Her commanding performance left the audience in awe, solidifying her well-deserved victory. To inspire and motivate the players, the trustees participated in an impromptu badminton match, adding excitement and charm to the evening. This gesture left a lasting impression, making the event even more memorable for everyone present.

Next was the men’s doubles final between Pranjal Agarwal/Sanket Prasad and Rajdeep Bala/Md. Affif Hussain Mullick. The men’s doubles final became a highlight of the event, as the winning team staged an incredible comeback from a 7/17 deficit, levelling the score at 19/19 before ultimately winning the match. This remarkable turnaround underscored the importance of perseverance and the spirit of never giving up until the very end.

The last finals match witnessed at the Turf was the men’s singles final between Sanket Prasad and Devansh Gaggar. Sanket played two back-to-back finals matches and yet again dominated the championship. He was just one point away from victory, suffered a cramp, but chose to continue playing despite his injury. In a heart-warming gesture, his opponent paused to assist him, exemplifying true sportsmanship. The matches were thrilling and engaging, reflecting the participants’ enthusiasm and deep love for the game.

Overall, the event was a great success, highlighting not only the athletic skills but also the character and camaraderie of the players. The BESC Intra-College Badminton Championship concluded on a high note with a memorable prize distribution ceremony held around 8:00 P.M. The event celebrated not only the athletic excellence of the participants but also the shared joy and camaraderie among the college community.

The winners of the championship were as follows: Shireen Ahamed stood 2nd Runner-up in the women’s singles category, with Nisha Akhtar and Srijoni Mullick as the 1st Runner-up and Winner, respectively. In the men’s singles category, Raghav Baheti stood 2nd Runner-up, with Devansh Gaggar and Sanket Prasad as the 1st Runner-up and Winner of the category, respectively. Lastly, the 2nd Runners-up title was grabbed by Dhruv Pandey and Harsh Aaryan, the 1st Runner-up pair being Rajdeep Bala and Md. Affif Hussain Mullick, and the champions’ title was claimed by Pranjal Agarwal and Sanket Prasad.

The winners were honoured with gold, silver, and bronze medals, recognising their hard work, determination, and exceptional performances throughout the tournament. These heartfelt moments were immortalised through photographs, capturing the essence of the event—the wide smiles of the victors, the supportive applause of the audience, and the vibrant energy of celebration.

The event was organised under the auspices of the BESC Fitness Collective, Power Hour, which is committed to promoting fitness and sportsmanship. This commitment was evident throughout the day-long tournament. With enthusiastic participation and well-organised matches, the championship highlighted the college’s commitment to promoting extracurricular excellence and physical fitness.

Reporters: Mahi Bosmia, Sadia Nissa
Photographers: Himanshu Jain, Gaurav Choudhary