Agency :
Khandokar Abdus Swad completed a hattrick of national titles, while Nasima Khatun emerged champion in the women’s section of the 39th National Badminton Championship at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday.
Swad of Ansar & VDP defeated Al Amin Zumar of the Bangladesh Army by 21-14 and 21-4 points in the men’s singles final.
“I couldn’t practice for a month due to an injury. There was pressure to prove myself when I came back. Ayman (Ibn Zaman) Bhai had also come from the United States, and the others also played well. This competition wasn’t easy. It was tougher than other times,” Swad said.
The win helped Swad to a monetary award of Tk 150,000, while runners-up Al Amin got a cash reward of Tk 100,000.
In the women’s section, Bangladesh Army shuttler Nasima beat the last two editions’s champions and team-mate Urmi Akter by 12-21, 21-17, 21-17 points in the final to claim her maiden title.
‘Even though I lost the first game, I didn’t lose confidence. I knew I could do it. Now my goal is to achieve international success. I want to win a medal at the SA Games,’ said Nasima.
Nasima received a cash prize of Tk 100,000, while Urmi bagged Tk 50,000.
A total of 457 shuttlers, consisting of 377 men and 80 women from 92 teams, participated in the five-day meet, which had a total prize purse of Tk 9,00,000.
