Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 3: The closing ceremony of the month-long free summer badminton coaching camp 2025 was held at the Father Muller Indoor Stadium on Saturday, May 3. The camp was organised by the Dakshina Kannada District Badminton Association (DKDBA) and drew an enthusiastic response from aspiring young players.
Running from April 1 to 30, the camp saw the participation of over 100 budding badminton players, who received free coaching under the guidance of experienced trainers Stephan Frank and Deekshith.
Speaking on the occasion, CA Shantharam Shetty, chairman of the Dakshina Kannada District Red Cross Society, said, “Coaches and parents are the real motivators for children. We can see this clearly from the achievements of 14-year-olds in the IPL. It's essential to cultivate the habit of regular practice and set goals consistently. At the same time, students must also maintain a strong focus on academics.”
Pradeep D’Souza, assistant director of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, commended the initiative and added, “Sports definitely contribute to your future. This camp has not only taught badminton but also provided various types of training that support the overall development of the participants in the free coaching camp.”
Fr Donald Nilesh Crasta, assistant administrator of Father Muller Medical College, expressed his appreciation for the camp, stating, “I am delighted that students chose to make their time meaningful by participating in this camp instead of spending hours on TV or social media. It's also important to understand the value of learning from failure and defeat.”
The ceremony also featured a prize distribution event for competitions conducted during the camp. Awards were presented in the categories of higher beginner, intermediate, and lower beginner for both boys and girls, recognising talent and progress across various levels.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including R Srinivas Baliga (secretary, DKDBA), Ivan Alfred Patrao (vice-president), A S Venkatesh (joint secretary), Vinay Kumar, Ivan Pinto, Praveen Kumar Bangeera (executive committee Member), Ganesh Prasad, and Suresh.
Dayanand P S, treasurer of DKDBA, extended a warm welcome to the gathering, marking a fitting conclusion to a camp that has inspired young athletes across the district.