BT Sports Desk: The Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) has once again made history by setting a new world record for the “Most Kids Participating in a Badminton Championship in Multiple Cities.” This year’s edition, held across 10 cities in India, saw an incredible participation of over 8257 young badminton enthusiasts, surpassing the previous record set in 2022.
The grand finale of the 7th JBC took place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, where the winners in five different categories were crowned for the Delhi chapter of JBC. The event was graced by Asian Games Gold Medalists and JBC 2023 mentors, Chirag Shetty and Satwik Rankireddy, along with Ashish Srivastava, MD and CEO of PNB MetLife Insurance, Sameer Bansal, Chief Distribution Officer of PNB MetLife Insurance, Sourabh Lohtia, Head of Marketing, PNB MetLife, and Ameeta Sinh, President, Delhi Capital Badminton Association.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashish Kumar Srivastava, MD and CEO of PNB MetLife, expressed his pride in surpassing the previous world record and being recognized by the World Record Certification Agency. He emphasized that JBC’s mission goes beyond records, as it aims to nurture young talent and pave the way for India’s success on the international badminton stage.
Sameer Bansal, Chief Distribution Officer of PNB MetLife, highlighted the significance of having Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy as JBC mentors, stating that their involvement has inspired young shuttlers to dream big and elevate their game. He expressed his eagerness for the next edition to unfold in the journey of unveiling India’s badminton potential and preparing them for global excellence.
Asian Games Gold Medalist and JBC 2023 mentor Satwiksairaj Rankireddy expressed his delight at the opportunity to witness the talent and enthusiasm of the young shuttlers. He emphasized the importance of tournaments like JBC in nurturing and harnessing the potential of India’s young badminton stars.
His doubles partner and fellow JBC 2023 mentor, Chirag Shetty, showered his praise on the young shuttlers, stating that it’s inspiring to witness their boundless talent and enthusiasm. He expressed his gratitude to PNB MetLife for fostering such an exceptional initiative, recognizing that PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship is more than just a competition; it’s a platform that nurtures dreams, ignites aspirations, and lays the foundation for future gold medalists.
The Junior Badminton Championship’s remarkable achievement and its commitment to nurturing young talent underscore the growing popularity of badminton in India and the promising future of the sport in the country.
