Neha Shetty (12) from Qatar Badminton Association ranks No 1 among GCC

By Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Qatar, 02 Oct 2015: Twelve-year-old Neha Shetty became the first ever athlete from Qatar Badminton Association to achieve glory at the GCC-Level. She is ranked No 1 player under 12 among GCC countries. 

 

This prodigy, born in Doha on July 17, 2003 and studying in Grade 7 at DPS-MIS has not only made her parents Naresh and Vijaya Shetty, hailing from Udupi, Karnataka, India proud but the entire Indian community living in Doha. Overall she has brought glory to her school in particular and Qatar in general. 

 

It was only in the year 2011 she attended her very first badminton class and she took the initiative of marking badminton as her main hobby after successfully participating in the competitions held in Qatar. Through her successive achievements in Qatar at the following events she was able to build her confidence to take part at this years GCC open held in Kuwait.

 

 

She is the singles winner in 2013 Kings Open (Qatar badminton open), singles runner up and doubles winner in 2014 Kings open (Qatar badminton open), doubles runner up in GCC Open (Qatar), singles runner up in 2015 Qatar Open and Qatar open winner.

 

Neha Shetty, representing Qatar participated in under -12 girls Singles and U-14 Girls Doubles. In an engrossing duel in the finals Under -12 Girls Singles category, Neha defeated the Top seeded player Reem Siraj in 3 sets, (scores 12-21, 21-16, 21-6).

 

In the Under 14 Girls Doubles Category, Neha partnering with Sadhwi Krishna achieved the  runner -up position having lost in straight sets (scores 16-21,9-21) in the final. 

 

Neha is coached by Manoj Shahibjan since July 6, 2014 at the Qatar Badminton Association (QBA). When asked, Manoj mentioned that this is a first time in the history that a player from QBA has achieved with recognition in a GCC tournament while playing outside Qatar.

 

This is the best phase of my life...and I don’t want to be silly, said Neha. For the time being, though, she can lean back, put up her feet and relax.

 

Neha Shetty is the granddaughter of ‘Sri Guru Chaya’ Srinivas and Sundari Shetty hailing from Volakadu, Udupi district.