Dubai: Qatar-based Arun Vijayakumar emerged as the champion of the 37th edition of the Manipal University India Club UAE Open badminton championship at the India Club.
In the final, Vijayakumar defeated Abdulla Shaheer 21-8, 21-13 to bag the prize money of Dh3,000. He was the winner of the men’s singles Qatar Open Badminton Tournament 2014 held in June and had also won the Bahrain Open in 2009. In 2004, he had represented Kerala in junior men’s doubles and was ranked third as a Kerala state player in men’s singles in 2008.
Vijayakumar said: “I am impressed at the way the tournament is conducted by the India Club and I will be keen to come down next year to defend my crown.
Promising star Shaheer, who finished runner-up, is a 14-year-old and is studying in Grade 10 at Our Own Indian High School, Al Quoz. He was the runner-up in Etisalat Academy Tournament 2014.
Amritha Kuttikrishnan earlier emerged as the winner of the women’s singles title. The men’s doubles title was won by India ranked players Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas defeating Mohammad Munawer and Alfaz Kalam 21-13, 21-13 while the women’s double was won by Bindu Nair and Meeta Bhandari defeating Roselle Amat and Jean Lepaopao 14-21, 21-9, 21-15.
The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Sunil Singh (Board of Trustee and Convenor — Sports, India Club), Asheesh Gupta, (Consul Protocol & Head of Chancery), The Consulate General of India, Dubai, Dr S.V. Kota Reddy, (Academic President, Manipal University, Dubai) and Nawab Shafi Ul Mulk, Director, Global Hawk Imaging and Diagnostic Centre.
