Young Shuttlers, Big Dreams: National Sub-Junior Badminton Begins in Kolkata
This week, the academy is hosting 464 rising talents from 28 states and five Union Territories. The highly competitive field features 261 boys and 203 girls all eager to make their mark on the national stage
XtraTime Webdesk: Kolkata officially transformed into the epicenter of youth badminton as the National Sub-Junior (Under-13) Ranking Tournament kicked off this Friday.
The Star Badminton Academy in Harinavi came alive with energy during a vibrant opening ceremony. Indian badminton legend Chetan Anand headlined the event, alongside Surjit Chatterjee from the popular band Bhoomi. Local leadership was also out in full force, with West Bengal Badminton Association (WBBA) President Ushanath Bandyopadhyay and Secretary Shekhar Biswas—who also serves as the Vice-President of the Badminton Association of India—welcoming the young athletes.
This week, the academy is hosting 464 rising talents from 28 states and five Union Territories. The highly competitive field features 261 boys and 203 girls all eager to make their mark on the national stage. As the host state, Bengal boasts a massive contingent of 90 young shuttlers looking to dominate on their home courts.
Beyond national recognition, the players are fighting for a share of a ₹6 lakh total prize pool. The financial breakdown adds serious stakes to every knockout round:
Singles (Boys & Girls): Champions take home ₹72,000, runners-up earn ₹36,000, semifinalists receive ₹28,000, and quarterfinalists secure ₹24,000.
Doubles (Boys & Girls Pairs): The winning pairs will pocket ₹76,000, runners-up get ₹36,000, and semifinalists walk away with ₹28,000.
Over the next few days, Kolkata sports fans have a front-row seat to the future of Indian badminton. It is a rare opportunity to watch the potential Olympic stars of tomorrow take their very first steps toward greatness.
