Vijaykumar wins UAE Open

Players, guests and officials of the 37th India Club UAE Open Badminton Tournament, sponsored mainly by Manipal University, Dubai. — Supplied photo

Arun Vijayakumar, based in Qatar, won the men’s singles title in the 37^th India Club (IC) UAE Open Badminton Tournament, sponsored mainly by Manipal University, Dubai campus.

He overcame the rising star in local badminton, 14-year old Abdulla Shaheer 21-8, 21-13 in the title round during the weekend. Shaheer was the runner-up in the recent Etisalat Academy Tournament.

Former India doubles stars Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas defeated Mohammed Munawer and Alfaz Kalam 21-13, 21-13 to lay hands on the men’s paired event while Munawer teamed up with Teena Mary Cherian to oust Avinash Suresh Kumar and Amritha Kuttikrishnan 21-14, 21-19 in the mixed doubles final.

Amritha Kuttikrishnan won the women’s singles title. Bindu Nair and Meeta Bhandari defeated Roselle Amat and Jean Lepaopao 14-21, 21-9, 21-15 for the women’s doubles honours.

Gulf expats from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the UK, Bahrain, Belgium, Malaysia, Singapore and Germany took part in the tournament.

The biggest and longest event in the sport in the UAE saw over 600 players take part where AK Prakashan, Manoj Mathews, Wales Thomas and the many volunteers provided the lead support as part of the organising committee.

Asheesh Gupta, Consul Protocol & Head of Chancery, The Consulate General of India, Dubai and Dr SV Kota Reddy, academic president, Manipal University, Dubai; and representatives of the sponsors attended the closing ceremony.

The media partners were 106.2 and Hum FM among others as further support. Other sponsors included E-Max Electronics, eTutor Home.com, Consolidated Shipping Group, Carrera Sunglasses — Safilo Group, Global Hawk Imaging & Diagnostic Centre, Yonex, 106.2 Hum FM, Infinity Advertising, Bindu Nair (Aarushi Designs) and Sakeer Hussain (Bat & Ball) amongst others.