Guyanese Badminton sensations Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani will jet off to Guatemala next week in a bid to qualify for a number of upcoming international stints.
The Ramdhani siblings, currently on scholarship as Student/Athletes at the Kings University and Olds’ College in Alberta Canada respectively, will represent the Golden Arrowhead at the XXIV Pan Am In
Narayan Ramdhani
dividual Championships, which are scheduled for April 27 to May 2, 2021.
Following a year of no competitions owing to the coronavirus pandemic, they both will be re-entering the courts competitively once again, and are expected to do the best they can to attain some valuable qualification points.
When they get to Guatemala, Narayan will be aiming for the necessary qualification points in order to attend the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games (July 23 – August 8). As such, the 22-year-old will make a bid in the Singles Elimination Round of 64 (this large number of entries is due to many players from around the world need points) at the Pan Am Championships. However, thanks to a bye, Narayan’s first game will come in the Round of 32.
On the other hand, with less participants in the female division, Priyanna will be featuring in the Singles Elimination Round of 32 in the Pan Am Championships. The 19-year-old is focused on playing to get her qualification points to attend the Cali South American Youth Games.
The Guyanese siblings will team up, like they often have done over the years, for the Mixed Doubles division in the draw of 32.
Owing to severe constraints of the coronavirus pandemic, the pair were exposed to limited training, as some venues were restricted and had to be worked around when they could to get on court.
Priyanna Ramdhani
According to reports, this sometimes meant that they had to travel for two hours, train for two hours, and travel back for another two hours twice a week.
The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) has expressed elation at the Ramdhani siblings’ return to high level competition. The GBA also sounded its gratitude to Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr., President of the GOA, Mr. Kalam Juman-Yassin; Dr. Yesu Persaud of Demerara Bank, Mr Mohamed of Mohamed’s Enterprise, and Ms. Ayanna Watson for making it possible for the pair to attend the Championships.
