Tura, Aug 17: The fourth West Garo Hills District Badminton Championship 2026 concluded at the Indoor Sports Hall in Hawakhana, Tura, on Sunday with 20 shuttlers selected to represent the district at the 41st Meghalaya State Badminton Championship.
The three-day tournament, held from August 14 to 16, was organised by the West Garo Hills District Badminton Association (WGHDBA) as both a district-level competition and selection trial for the state championship, which will be held in Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills, from August 26 to 29.
A total of 114 players, including 67 men and 47 women, participated in the championship across 17 categories. The competition featured junior events from Under-11 to Under-19, besides Open Men’s Singles and Doubles, Women’s Singles and Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
Former Deputy Director of the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs Jasper P. Marak attended the closing ceremony as the guest of honour. He, along with executive members and officials of the WGHDBA, presented trophies and certificates to the winners and runners-up.
In the Open events, Gitchiak Bregim A. Sangma defeated Sixbirth M. Marak to win the Men’s Singles title. Sangma later partnered Faith Waltombi Ch. Momin to claim the Mixed Doubles crown, defeating Sixbirth M. Marak and Athena D. Marak.
Sengte Wasa D. Shira won the Women’s Singles title after defeating Athena D. Marak and also teamed up with Eladah Gasa G. Momin to win the Women’s Doubles title against Amelia D. Marak and Athena D. Marak.
Gaurav Aditya Dutta and Biswajit Ghosh secured the Men’s Doubles title, defeating Brainygo K. Marak and Mikkim J. Sangma.
In the junior categories, Amelia D. Marak completed a double by winning both the Under-17 and Under-19 Girls’ Singles titles, defeating Athena D. Marak and Eladah Gasa G. Momin respectively.
Sixbirth M. Marak won the Under-19 Boys’ Singles title against Dezio P. Marak, while Dejak Rocco G. Momin and Dezio P. Marak combined to win the Under-19 Boys’ Doubles title against Dev Arora and Elmo Kaizo D. Marak.
Elmo Kaizo D. Marak won the Under-17 Boys’ Singles title, defeating Jiyone Hajong.
In the Under-15 events, Jiyone Hajong won the Boys’ Singles title against Aadi N. Arengh before teaming up with Arengh to win the Boys’ Doubles title against Zaayan Khan Islam and Abhiraj Datta.
Norah R. Marak and Mirai R. Marak won the Under-15 Girls’ Doubles title, defeating Aliina Cyrah B. Marak and Sharisha Chetry.
In the younger age groups, Kabir Ahmed won the Under-13 Boys’ Singles title against V. Sohan Sri Hitesh, while Chumiwon G. Momin claimed the Under-13 Girls’ Singles crown after defeating Norah R. Marak.
V. Sohan Sri Hitesh won the Under-11 Boys’ Singles title against Euorie Chean R. Marak, while Mirai R. Marak secured the Under-11 Girls’ Singles title by defeating Aliina Cyrah B. Marak.
Following the selection trials, WGHDBA announced the district’s squad for the state championship. The men’s contingent comprises Zaayan Khan Islam, Abhiraj Datta, Jiyone Hajong, Aadi N. Arengh, Elmo Kaizo D. Marak, Sixbirth M. Marak, Dezio P. Marak, Dejak Rocco G. Momin, Gaurav Aditya Dutta, Biswajit Ghosh, Mikkim J. Sangma and Gitchiak Bregim A. Sangma, with Chirag Agarwal included as a wild card entry.
The women’s contingent consists of Aliina Cyrah B. Marak, Chumiwon G. Momin, Norah R. Marak, Mirai R. Marak, Amelia D. Marak, Athena D. Marak and Eladah Gasa G. Momin.
The WGHDBA expressed confidence in the selected players and hoped the West Garo Hills contingent would improve on its previous medal tally when it competes at the state championship in Nongstoin later this month.
