Narayan Ramdhani through to Round of 16

Guyana’s top badminton player Narayan Ramdhani has progressed to the Round of 16 at the XXIV Pan Am Individual Championships 2021 in Guatemala.

After gaining a bye in the Round of 64, the Guyanese defeated Shae Martin of Barbados 21-18, 21-12 in the Round of 32. His next match is on Friday.

His sister Priyanna, playing in the Ladies Singles, lost in two sets to the experienced Nairoby Abigail of the Dominican Republic 21-8, 21-12.

The siblings then teamed up in the Mixed Doubles, but lost to Antonio Emanuel Ortiz and Alejandra Jose Paiz Quan of Guatemala 21-13, 21-13.

Narayan and Priyanna are on the hunt for Olympic and South American Youth Games qualification points in the April 29 to May 2 tournament.

“This is the first Senior Pan Am Tournament for both players after playing quite a number of years in the Junior Category. They had limited tournaments for over a year and a half, but were able to perform at their best despite the pandemic era where they were exposed to a lot of restrictions,” the Guyana Badminton Association said.

“We are now awaiting the IOC and the Pan American Federation to inform us if Narayan will qualify for the Olympics and Priyanna for the South American Youth Games after all points in the qualification periods are calculated.”

The Association expressed thanks to Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. Guyana Olympic Association President K.A. Juman Yassin, Dr. Yesu Persaud of Demerara Bank, Mohamed’s Enterprise and GBA executive Ayanna Watson for making it possible for the two players to attend the events.