The Carolina Marín Sports Palace in Huelva has been the capital of Spanish badminton from June 20 to 23, hosting the Spanish Championship for regional teams in children’s school age (sub 15), cadet (sub 17) and inclusive.
In the children’s category, 14 teams participated (Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, the Balearic Islands, the Valencian Community, the Canary Islands, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Catalonia, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Navarra and the Region of Murcia), while in the cadet competition a total of 17 teams competed (Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Valencian Community, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Catalonia, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla, Navarra, Basque Country and Region of Murcia). Finally, 8 communities were competing for the medals of the Inclusive competition (Andalusia, Asturias, Valencian Community, Canary Islands, Castilla La Mancha, Galicia, La Rioja and Melilla).
The competition system consisted of the group stage and then elimination. In the children’s and cadet categories, each match was played in the best of 7 matches: 4 singles, 1 mixed doubles, 1 women’s doubles and 1 men’s doubles. On the other hand, in inclusive the format is different, playing 3 matches: inclusive doubles, mixed doubles and 3×3, with a series of conditions that made the competition more fun, exciting and inclusive.
Inclusive competition. – Photo: LT
During four intense days of competition, 330 players gathered to play great matches with great sportsmanship, breathing a great atmosphere of camaraderie both on and off the courts. Among them, four Moral residents (Club Bádminton Moral) have participated in achieving the inclusive podium. Alejandro González Nilina, Diana Dulya (sub 15), Ángel Flores Sancho (sub 17), and as coach Ángel Flores Sánchez.
During the first day the children’s team began by losing its match against the Balearic Islands 3-4, the cadet team won 4-3 against Aragón, and the inclusive team won 3-0 against the Canary Islands, later losing 0-3 against Andalusia.
On the second day, the children’s team won 7-0 against the Canary Islands and lost 3-4 against Castilla-León (current champion from the previous year). The cadets lost their matches against Andalusia 0-7 and against Asturias 1-4. The inclusive team managed to beat Galicia 3-0 and thus advance to the semifinals.
Members of the Castilla-La Mancha team. – Photo: LT
On the third day, the children’s team beat La Rioja 5-2, to qualify for places from 9th to 10th. The cadet team was also playing to be 9th or 10th, and although they competed phenomenally, they lost their match against Castilla y León 1-4, thus remaining in 10th position. The inclusive team played in the semifinals, managing to beat Asturias 2-1, deciding the tie in the third set of the last match.
On the fourth day, the children’s team lost to Madrid 1-4 and lost the inclusive final 0-2 to Andalusia.
In this way, both the children’s team and the cadet team were ranked tenth and the inclusive team was runner-up.
Representatives of the Moral Badminton Club. – Photo: LT
A beautiful and difficult to forget experience, in which badminton is a tool to achieve the integration of kids with and without disabilities, serving to further promote all values (work, spirit of improvement, camaraderie, self-esteem, confidence…) and positive aspects of sport.
Once the matches were over, the top three sub-15, sub-17 and inclusive championship were awarded by the authorities of the Spanish Federation, the Higher Sports Council, the Andalusian Sports Department, the Huelva City Council and the Provincial Council of Huelva.
An event that is surpassed year after year, and where you can see the best national players competing at the highest level and others who, despite their difficulties, have the opportunity to enjoy badminton and everything that inclusion entails.
2024-06-24 17:12:46
#regional #team #runnerup #Spain #inclusive #schoolage #badminton
