Hyderabad, Kerala emerge victorious in Ball Badminton tourney

Guntur, Jan 30 (UNI) Hyderabad and Kerala halted Tamil Nadu's winning spree and emerged as champions in the boys and girls sections of the 53rd Junior National Ball Badminton championship held here today.

In the finals, Hyderabad defeated Tamil Nadu 29-24,29-20 in the boys section, while Kerala demolished Tamil Nadu 29-12,29-20 in the girls event.

In the semi-finals held earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu boys outwitted Karnataka in an exciting match. Tamil Nadu won the first set at 29-25. Karnataka, however, restored parity by winning the second set at 29-18. The fortunes fluctuated in the decider when both the teams rose to the occasion, before Tamil Nadu clinching the match at 29-27.

Hyderabad prevailed over Andhra in the other semi-finals. The former won the first set in a sea-saw battle with 29-26, before the latter restored parity with 29-13 in the second set. Hyderabad, however, played remarkably well in the decider to crush Andhra 29-11.

In the girls semis, Tamil Nadu trounced Andhra Pradesh 29-21 and 29-14, in a one-sided match. In the other match, Kerala romped home truimphantly in straight sets at 29-19, 29-14.

About 480 players from 24 States took part in the four-day championship.

The organisers said 'Star of India' awards was distributed to five best players in the tournanment.

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