Kochi, 24 September 2023: In a dazzling showcase of badminton talent, over 550 gifted young players from every corner of Kerala took center stage at the 7th edition of the PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship in 2023. This eagerly anticipated sporting spectacle culminated today in a thrilling finale at the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium where 10 budding badminton champions emerged victorious in their respective categories.

In the youth badminton tournament, there were impressive performances across various age categories. In the Boys Singles Under 9 category, Jayakumar Aswajith dominated the competition, defeating RS Devkrishna with a strong score of 15-7 & 15-4. Similarly, in the Girls Singles Under 9 category, Nair Nidhi B exhibited her remarkable prowess, defeating T.M Saanvika with an impressive score of 15-8 & 15-7.

In the Boys Singles Under 11 category, the formidable M. P Sivan outperformed Baiju Pranav, securing a resounding victory with a score of 15-14 12-15 & 15-14. Meanwhile, in the Girl's Singles Under 11 category, Shehzadi Juwairiya exhibited her remarkable prowess, defeating C P Dakshina with an impressive score of 15-13 9-15 & 15-10.

In the Boys Singles Under 13 category, Nial Alexander showcased his remarkable skills on the badminton court, outperforming his opponent Sojan Jovin in a thrilling match.  Nial Alexander secured a resounding victory with a scoreline of 15-13 & 15-14, demonstrating his versatility and determination. Meanwhile, in the Girls Singles Under 13 category, Fathima Fadhiya displayed her prowess by defeating Renjith Rangana K with an impressive straight-set victory, with scores of 15-11 & 15-11, establishing herself as a formidable competitor in her age group.

In the Boys Singles Under 15 category, Jebas S Shilvan continued to excel, this time against Siddique Ali Zayyan overcame a challenging opponent, securing victory with scores of 15-12 11-15 & 15-14, further solidifying his reputation as a dominant force in the tournament. Meanwhile, in the Girls Singles Under 15 category, Mary Aksa Mary demonstrated her exceptional skills, defeating Shenoy R Neha convincingly with a scoreline of 15-5 & 15-9, making a strong statement in her age group.

In the Boys Singles Under 17 category, Suraj Ayush secured a strong victory against Antony Yash Antony with scores of 15-9, 9-15 & 15-9. In the Girls Singles Under 17 division, Mary Aksa Mary .C A exhibited her prowess, defeating Shenoy R Neha with a score of 15-13 & 15-13.

Adding to the event's grandeur, Mr. Jose Chempanal, Associate VP, TPP Sales, ESAF Bank, Mr. Vishwanath Pai, Associate Director, PNB MetLife, Mr. Baiju J, Valued Partner, Agency Channel, Mr. Hygenous Pappachan, Valued Partner, Agency Channel & Mr. Tariq Mohammad, Vice President KBSA and President Ernakulam District Association graced the closing ceremony. They presented the young champions with the coveted JBC Trophy, symbolizing their exceptional achievements.

Mr. Sameer Bansal, Chief Distribution Officer at PNB MetLife, shared his enthusiasm for the tournament, stating, "Over the last three days, we've witnessed an incredible display of enthusiasm, determination, and unwavering dedication from these talented young athletes. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the winners and wish them the very best for the finals. At PNB MetLife, our primary objective is to leverage sports to help children build confidence and foster holistic development of their mental and physical capabilities. We believe that this competition plays a pivotal role in nurturing emerging talent, preparing them for the challenges that lie ahead."

PNB MetLife's Junior Badminton Championship holds a global distinction as the world's largest junior badminton tournament, a distinction recognized by the esteemed World Record Certification Agency (WRCA). This recognition solidifies the championship's status as a trailblazer in the promotion of junior badminton excellence across India.

The event also enjoys the unwavering support of esteemed figures in Indian badminton, including icons such as Satwik Rankireddy, Chetan Shetty, PV Sindhu, Prakash Padukone, Ashwini Ponnappa, Vimal Kumar, and Chetan Anand. They lend their expertise to the JBC Boot Camp, an innovative online badminton academy that offers invaluable insights and techniques, enabling young players to hone their skills and unlock their full potential.

The next phase of this year's championship promises more thrilling action and is set to take place in Mumbai starting from 2 October 2023. We cordially invite you to join us at Andheri Sports Complex because, as history has shown, the next badminton sensation of India could very well emerge from the ranks of these incredibly talented young players.

JBC 2023 Registration Details:

The registration process for JBC 2023 can be completed by calling +919820006190.

The complete tournament schedule:

About PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited

PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) is one of the leading life insurance company in India that combines the financial strength of MetLife, Inc. with the credibility of PNB, one of India's oldest nationalized banks. PNB MetLife’s purpose, Milkar Life Aage Badhaein, is demonstrated through its customer-centric innovations and employee empowerment practices. With a strong presence in 139 branches and access to customers in over 18,600 locations (as on March 31, 2023) through bank partnerships, PNB MetLife offers a comprehensive product portfolio covering Child Education, Family Protection, Long-Term Saving and Retirement. The company has a wide range of protection and retirement products available through its sales channel of over 19,500 financial advisors and multiple bank partners and caters to over 590+ group relationships in India.

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