Jharkhand's women's team won the silver medal in the 18th Senior East Zone Tennikoit Championship, which concluded at Kolkata on June 2. The men took the third position while host West Bengal emerged overall champions in the event conducted by West Bengal Teenikoit Association.
During the tourney the women’s team defeated Assam, Bihar Odisha and Manipur with a 3-0 scoreline. The men side also came up with a confident show in the earlier matches but lost 2-3, to Odisha to finish third.
Jharkhand lost the first singles 19-21- 17-21 but defeated Odisha 21-6, 21-11 in the second outing. However, they lost 21-11, 21-19 in the tie-breaker. Jharkhand also lost the doubles 21-11, 21-18. The state also finished third in mixed doubles, losing to Odisha 1-3.
Jharkhand State Tennikoet Association president S.R.A. Rizvi Chabban lauded the squad for putting in their best performance and winning medals at a zonal meet. He also promised regular camps to improve performances.
“I am satisfied with the performance of the team. They tried their best and lost to better teams. I am sure they will put up a better show in the next zonal meet,” Chabban said. Jharkhand State Tennikoet Association secretary Ali Raza Khan also expressed happiness over the performance.