Saturday August 4, 2012

Family affair on court

By NG WEI LOON
weiloon@thestar.com.my Photo by AZHAR MAHFOF

HOSTS Golden Route Badminton Academy (GRBA) created a joyous time for children to develop a closer bond with their parents on court with their Happy Family badminton men’s and women’s doubles championships at the multi-purpose hall in Kampung Tunku in Petaling Jaya recently.

GRBA coach A. Hemalatha, who forms the partnership with her husband R. Vikneswara in running the academy and managing the Runners Feet Sports pro-shop based in Petaling Jaya, said their aim was to create a fun-filled atmosphere for the trainees from three academies in family-orientated tournament.

“Personally, I have many fond memories sharing the similar interest in badminton with my family. I have also found it easier to connect with my family because of our passion for the game.

“After developing coaching experience at the Deva Badminton Academy (DBA), I found the courage to set up my own academy with my husband more than two years ago. My elder brother (A. Thanabalan) has been coaching in New Zealand. The recent initiative was to spread a simple message to reinforce precious family values. We also want other families to experience the similar positive effect,” said the 28-year-old Hemalatha, who is the youngest of three siblings.

Working together: Vikneswara (right) and Hemalatha work to promote the sport.

Besides participants featuring under the Golden Route Badminton Academy (GRBA) and Deva Badminton Academy (DBA) banners, the trainees from the Smash Badminton Academy were also in the fray in the father-and-son as well mother-and-daughter doubles contests.

And it was a fruitful outing for DBA as their combinations went on to emerge as champions in both categories.

Personal physical trainer Vikneswara said it was great seeing the untested pairs gauging their strength engaging in matches throughout the friendly tournament.

“It was an open affair with pairs teaming up to overcome their opponents. Going into the competition, there was an interesting element of surprise because we could not predict the winners. We know exactly the level of competency of the trainees from the three camps because we have been evaluating them in training but we do not know the individual ability of their respective partners. They (the fathers and mothers) just kept us guessing in anticipating their present form,” he added.

Currently, GRBA has a total of 70 trainees going through the paces under their care.

A total of 60 shuttlers took part in the recent meet.

The father-and-son category drew a total of 24 pairs while six combinations featured in the mother-and-daughter contest.

Among the partners for the tournament were 100Plus, Fleet and Vikky Berjaya Enterprise.

For details on the couple’s sports related services, e-mail pathofglory@yahoo.com.

RESULTS

> FATHER-AND-SON

Semi-finals: R. Kiran-Ramesh (DBA) bt P. Jhayhan-Punitha Rajan (GRBA) 21-8, 21-11; Tan Khai Hoong-Tan Beng Guan (GRBA) bt C. Sarvin-Chandi Raagan (GRBA) 21-18, 21-16

Final: R. Kiran-Ramesh (DBA) bt Tan Khai Hoong-Tan Beng Guan (GRBA) 21-7, 21-15

> MOTHER-AND-DAUGHTER

Final: B. Bhavatharani-Tarmambaal (DBA) bt S. Mahalexcmi-A. Kavitha (DBA-GRBA) 21-11, 21-17

Third-Fourth: A. Sharveshna-Letcumy (SBA) bt Amanda-Halen (GRBA) 21-8, 21-9