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Maiden entry for Pune’s Sanyogita in Indian Uber Cup team
Earlier, the player had represented India in the Asian Team Championship, Malaysia, in February 2018.
City player and doubles specialist Sanyogita Ghorpade has been selected to represent India at the Uber Cup finals, scheduled to be held in Bangkok from May 20. The team for the same was shortlisted by the national body, Badminton Association of India, earlier this week and was announced on Wednesday.
For the Nikhil Kanetkar Badminton Academy (NKBA) trainee, representing the country at the finals of such a huge event is a first. It is a maiden achievement for the academy as well.
“This is definitely my biggest win for sure. I feel proud to represent my country at the prestigious event and this being my first such event, makes it more special for me and family,” said Sanyogita, who is supported by the Kanetkar Sports Foundation (KSF)
Earlier, the player had represented India in the Asian Team Championship, Malaysia, in February 2018.
Coached by ex-Olympian Nikhil Kanetkar at the academy, Sanyogita has finished runners-up twice in the senior national badminton championship. The first was at Patna (2016), the year she made a comeback to competitive badminton after recovering from an injury (Achilles tendon) she sustained during a practice session, after shifting to the academy from Hyderabad. Her second National final was in Nagpur (2017), when she set a record of sorts by making it through the qualifiers to the final.
“She is a fighter and has strong will power. Having overcome a really rough patch in her career, it’s commendable to finally see her with the best in the country. At NKBA, her feat is an inspiration to all aspiring players,” said Kanetkar.
After joining the academy, Sanyogita has won one all-India title at Pune (women’s doubles), was runners-up at Davangere, Karnataka (women’s doubles), and was a finalist at Barelly, Uttar Pradesh (mixed doubles), on the national circuit. Likewise, on the International circuit, she was runners-up in the Mauritius International and Philippines tournaments.
Indian women have been clubbed with Japan, Canada and Australia in Group-A and will open their campaign against Canada on May 20. They will then play Australia on May 22 and Japan on May 23.
