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Heri Setiawan, pictured right, put up a sterling display to dislodge top seed and defending champion Jaffer Ebrahim and lift the men’s singles title in the Travelex Western Union Indian Club GCC Open Badminton Tournament at the club premises.
The 24-year-old Indonesian, who has been recruited by the Bahrain Badminton and Squash Federation (BBSF) to coach the national team players, including Ebrahim, had a tough night as he was involved in three of the six finals.
The diminutive player secured a double by winning the mixed doubles with partner Rehana Abdul Latif in another all-Bahrain final against Ebrahim and Shalini Shetty, but later failed to make it a treble when he and Rixson Rebello went down to the UAE duo of Shibil CP and Dilshad Kamaludeen in the men’s doubles final.
“I’m very proud to win this double title for Bahrain, although I would have been happier if we had secured the men’s doubles title too. It was very taxing as I also had to play three semi-finals in the morning session. Nevertheless, I’m happy with my achievements today,” said the soft-spoken Setiawan, who has been in Bahrain since 2009.
He was rewarded with a total prize money of $400.
Players from the UAE enjoyed more success in the tournament following victories in the boys under-19 singles and doubles titles as well as the men’s doubles. Kamaludeen and his son Dilshad added a family touch to the finals with the former winning the veteran’s doubles title, with his Bahraini partner Nahaz Omer, while Dilshad clinched the men’s doubles.
The three-day event, which was held in association with the BBSF, featured 85 players from Saudi, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain vying for a total prize money of $2,250.
Apart from Travelex-Western Union, the other sponsors included Almarai, Al Mahroos, Mark Seven Advertising and Ehsan Optics among others.
Results (all finals)
Men’s singles: 2-Heri Setiawan (Bah) bt 1-Jaffer Ebrahim (Bah) 21-12, 21-16; Men’s doubles: Dilshad Kamaludeen & Shibil CP (UAE) bt Heri Setiawan & Ricson Rebello (Bah) 23-21-21-17; Mixed doubles: Heri Setiawan & Rehana Abdul Latif (Bah) bt Jaffer Ebrahim & Shalini Shetty (Bah) 21-11, 12-21, 21-11; Veteran’s doubles: Nahaz Omer (Bah) & Kamaludeen (UAE) bt Prasad Janardhanan (Bah) & George Puthenmadom (Saudi) 11-21, 21-14, 21-15; Boys U-19 singles: Mohammed Munawar (UAE) bt Bernie Shaji (UAE) 21-14, 21-14; Boys U-19 doubles: Mohammed Munawar & Bernie Shaji (UAE) bt Hanad Ali (Qatar) & Sidharth Menon (Bahrain) 21-6, 21-8.
