In a stunning display of young talent, Amaira Dhumatker soared to victory at the prestigious KPRO Sports Badminton Tournament 2025, held on August 9–10 at Gamefit Academy, Bengaluru. Competing against over 155 participants from across India, Amaira delivered exceptional performances to secure:
Her consistency, court coverage, and precision smashes earned her the title of Outstanding Player of the Tournament, a special recognition given to the best overall performer across all categories.
The tournament was hosted by KPRO Sports, an official assessment partner of the Karnataka Badminton Association (KBA), making this achievement even more significant for upcoming shuttlers aiming to gain national recognition.
This is not just a win—it’s a statement. Amaira’s ability to compete and succeed across two age categories is a testament to her dedication, training, and sharp mental strength.
With tournaments like these nurturing grassroots talent, and young stars like Amaira taking center stage, the future of Indian badminton is indeed bright.
Lone Goan victor lights up opening day with gutsy three-set thriller in Boys U17 singles
Mapusa, Goa | June 20, 2025 — Goa had its moment of glory on the opening day of the main draw at the Yonex-Sunrise All India Sub Junior (U-15 & U-17) Ranking Badminton Tournament 2025, thanks to a nerve-wracking victory by Aarush Pawaskar. In a highly competitive Boys Singles U17 Round of 64 clash at the Multipurpose Stadium, Peddem, the young Goan talent held his ground and delivered a stellar performance that had the local crowd on its feet.
Aarush outlasted Andhra Pradesh’s Manku Taku in a gripping three-set battle: 21-14, 9-21, 21-19, showcasing not just skill but remarkable composure under pressure. With this victory, he emerged as the only Goan player to progress on a day otherwise dominated by higher-seeded national contenders and visiting states.
🎯 A Lone Win Amid Spirited Battles
While Aarush’s triumph gave Goa a reason to cheer, the day proved tough for other local participants, many of whom bowed out despite brave performances.
In Boys Singles U17,
Advait Balakrishnan was defeated by Yash Soni (Rajasthan) 15-21, 10-21.
In Girls Singles U17,
Yashila Ritika Chelluri lost to Ketaki Thite (Maharashtra).
Shivanjali Thite was overcome by Ridhima Saini (Chhattisgarh).
In Boys Doubles U15,
Shaan Cherkala Kunjutty & Mohammed Umar Shaikh went down 12-21, 13-21 to Vihaan Kolhade & Hridaan Padve (Maharashtra).
Sparsh Kolwalkar & Arnav Saraf narrowly missed an upset, losing 18-21, 21-12, 20-22 in a thriller.
In Mixed Doubles U15,
Arnav Saraf & Niharika Parwar fought valiantly but lost 18-21, 21-19, 16-21 to Edward Adrien & Supreetha Deepak (Karnataka).
In Girls Doubles U15,
Dimple Revankar (Goa) & Tanishka Ganji (Telangana), fresh from a strong qualifying run, were ousted by Vijaya Tejashwini Dantuluri (AP) & Joel Rana (Haryana) 12-21, 17-21.
🏅 National Seeds Show Their Strength
The day also saw top seeds across age groups dominate with confident wins:
Pushkar Sai (Karnataka), Boys Singles U15 top seed, beat Avish Mehta (Delhi) 21-19, 21-5.
Shaina Manimuthu, Girls Singles U15 top seed, cruised past Smriti S. 21-8, 21-13.
Avni Vikram Govind (Telangana), third seed, survived a scare before winning 17-21, 22-20, 21-13 over Anvi Patel (Gujarat).
In Boys U17, top seed Dev Ruparelia (Maharashtra) and third seed Akhil Reddy Bobba (Telangana) advanced without trouble.
🔥 All Eyes on Aarush
With the tournament heating up, Goan hopes now rest squarely on Aarush Pawaskar, who has shown he has both the game and the mindset to compete against the best in the country. His performance reflects not just personal growth, but the promise of a rising badminton culture in Goa.
“This win means a lot. I stayed focused, even when I lost the second game. I knew if I believed in my shots and didn’t panic, I could pull through,” Aarush said post-match, beaming with the calm confidence of a player far beyond his years.
The Goa Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), under the aegis of the Boxing Federation of India and in association with the Shail Foundation, is all set to host the 1st Goa Shail Foundation U-17 Boys & Girls Invitational Cup Boxing Tournament. Scheduled from 4th to 7th June 2025, the tournament will take place at the Boxing Hall in Peddem, Mapusa, Bardez, Goa.
The event will be officially inaugurated on 4th June by Mr. Arvind Khutkar, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Goa. His presence reaffirms the state’s commitment to nurturing youth talent and promoting sporting excellence at the grassroots level.
This inaugural tournament will feature 10 inter-state teams, including Goa’s own Junior Boys and Girls Boxing Teams, with a total of 135 young boxers participating. The platform is aimed at showcasing and uplifting the country’s rising boxing talents, particularly in the sub-junior and junior categories.
Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Rohit Jainendra Jain, Chairman of Shail Group of Companies and the main sponsor, expressed strong support. He remarked, “More of such Boxing Invitational Tournaments should be held across India, especially for Sub-Junior and Junior Boxers. This not only builds exposure and confidence among budding athletes but also paves the way for them to become future International Champions.”
In addition to the tournament, the Goa Boxing Association is also organizing a 4-day Practical Coaches Seminar, which will run parallel to the event. The seminar will be conducted daily from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, from 4th to 7th June 2025, at the same venue. It will be led by Mr. T.L. Gupta, a former Senior NIS Boxing Instructor renowned for his in-depth knowledge of modern training techniques.
Mr. Lenny D’Gama, International Technical Official and the key force behind the seminar, highlighted its purpose: “We believe that if Indian coaches are regularly trained with the latest techniques and practices, our boxers can consistently shine on the international stage.”
The seminar is expected to draw over 30+ boxing coaches and physical education teachers from across the country. It aims to elevate the standard of coaching in India by equipping trainers with the tools and techniques needed to mentor the next generation of champions.
Physical Education Teachers and Boxing Coaches who wish to participate are encouraged to email their name and contact details to goaboxing@gmail.com by the latest 1st June 2025.
Together, the tournament and seminar represent a landmark moment for Goa and Indian boxing. They embody a shared vision — where opportunity meets preparation, and young talent is matched by expert mentorship.
