Patna: In the final match of the boys’ category at the Baidhanth Prasad Memorial 31st Bihar State Junior Ball Badminton Championship, held at BP Indraprastha International School, Mithanpura, Muzaffarpur, Kilkari, Patna, last year’s runner-up, clinched the title by defeating last year’s champion, Naugachia, in straight sets, 35-31, 35-23.

Kilkari’s captain and national player, Prashant Raj, won the toss. In the first set, Naugachia struggled to gain points. Kilkari, after taking an initial lead, maintained their dominance, winning the second set 35-23 to avenge their defeat in last year’s final and secure the trophy.

Prashant, Saurabh, Gaurav, Anokhe Lal, and Sachin played key roles for Kilkari, while Pushkar, Ajit, and Bittu performed well for Naugachia. Siwan and East Champaran shared the third place in the championship. In the semi-finals, Naugachia defeated Siwan in the first match, while Kilkari received a walkover against Begusarai in the second match due to technical reasons. Anokhe Lal of Kilkari was named the best player of the championship.

After the final, the prizes were presented to the players by the chief guest, Dr Pallavi, along with Krishna Murari, General Manager of Priority Bags, social worker Rajesh Roshan, secretary of the Bihar Ball Badminton Association, Gouri Shankar, and the Principal of BP Indraprastha International School, Subroto Roy.