Pune: PDMBA chronicles ‘The Poona Game’ history, Gopichand launches coffee table book as part of associations 75th Anniversary celebration

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Pune, 17 May 2022: In a unique gesture, the Poona District Metropolitan Association (PDMBA) launched its commemorative coffee table book – ‘The Poona Game,’ to honour the 150 years of the game that was born in the city and mark its own 75th anniversary.

The book was launched by Vice President – Badminton Association of India (BAI) Padma Bhushan Pullela Gopichand and Honorary General Secretary – BAI Mr. Sanjay Mishra online after both guests excused their presence owing to health.  

In their absence, Chairman, Managing Council – Progressive Education Society Mr. Gajanan Ekbote welcomed and looked over the launch.

Encapsulating the legacy of the badminton behemoth, the book comprehensively details the journey, major accomplishments and key successes achieved overall.

Details of the game being born in Pune, to rules laid down in Pune during 1871-72 to PDMBA establishing itself in 1946 are documentations that take one on a trip down memory lane.

Likewise, PDMBA, over 75 years has time and time again proved its mettle and continues to strive towards excellence to serving the sport, which is notably recorded. Be it developing international players in Pune, dynamic organizers in Late Avinash Wardekar and Dajisaheb Natu, to conducting the country’s first prize money tournament – Indian Masters in 1981, which was won by Prakash Padukone the book has it all.

Similarly, PDMBA’s transition over time that led to establishing itself at the Modern Sports Complex which hosts nine badminton courts and the constant produce of quality umpires, Girish Natu being popular worldwide are other notable inclusions in ‘The Poona Game.’

In recognition of the doyen services of individuals who defined success through their contributions, PDMBA during the function honoured organisers and administrators in Late Avinash Wardekar, Dajisaheb Natu, Annasaheb Natu, Suresh Phalnikar, players Manjusha Pavangadkar, Nikhil Kanetkar and Manjusha Sahastrabuddhe, coaches K. R. Shetty, Anil Modak, technical official Girish Natu and a loyalist staff in Dilip Kamble as an apt closure of a chapter outlining the glory of 75 years.

The function was compered by Dr. Atul Biniwale and chaired PDMBA President Aniruddha Deshpande, while PDMBA Honorary Secretary C.A Ranjeet Natu gave a welcome address covering the history of PDMBA since inception.

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Speaking over the virtual platform, Gopichand said: This indeed is a glorious occasion! A day that conjoins the historic legacy of the birth of ‘Poona Badminton’ dating back to 150 years, the tireless association of the Poona District Metropolitan Badminton Association (PDMBA) through half the number of years since badminton was born in this city and during it all the celebration of India’s first-ever gold medal in the Thomas Cup.

“As a member of the badminton fraternity at large, and having earned my name, it is my honour to be part of this moment and unfold chronicled history. PDMBA has done a wonderful job to shape badminton through the Coffee Table Book, which also includes their dedicated effort in producing players of international repute, the finest on and off the court officials who together are world renowned and looked up to by the fraternity across the world.

“To me, Pune holds a special place. I have bitter-sweet memories of the city. It was here that my career almost ended in 1995 with a dreadful injury during the National Games, but then it was also here that I came back two years later, in 1997, to win my maiden Senior National title. I also cannot forget the fond family relations with the Natu family and a close friendship with Ranjeet Natu, who at one time paired up as my doubles partner and won a national ranking event.

“The CTB launch will be yet another takeaway memory from the city, a memory that will remain in years to come. The CTB, personally, is pièce de résistance for the finesse in which the journey of the sport is captured and synopsised. Surely, a first of its kind by any association in India.”

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