Junior shuttlers hear the Chicago Bulls lesson as Daaji addresses HGBA finals in Hyderabad

Heartfulness Global Guide Shri Kamlesh Patel shares insights from Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson while Dev Ruparelia and Tanvi Patri clinch U 19 singles titles

Hyderabad, 10 January 2026: The Yonex Sunrise All India Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament 2026 Under 19 concluded at the Heartfulness Gopichand Badminton Academy with a closing ceremony that brought together young athletes, coaches, and officials from across the country. The event was graced by Kamlesh Patel, affectionately known as Daaji, who addressed the finalists and participants at the conclusion of the tournament.
Speaking to the young shuttlers, Shri Kamlesh Patel delivered a message on the role of inner balance and perspective in sport, encouraging players to treat both victory and defeat as part of a larger life journey. He urged athletes to remain grounded and committed to their practice, noting that dedication to the sport itself is a marker of success.

Drawing from global sports history, Shri Kamlesh Patel shared the story of basketball legend Michael Jordan and his coach Phil Jackson, describing how the Chicago Bulls evolved into a championship winning team. He highlighted how the introduction of group meditation under Jackson’s leadership played a key role in improving coordination, focus, and team synergy. He added that a similar approach later contributed to championship success when Jackson coached the Los Angeles Lakers.
Elaborating on the concept of inner focus, Shri Kamlesh Patel explained that meditation helps awaken hidden potential and enhances intuitive awareness, enabling athletes to respond more effectively during competition. Referring to the Bhagavad Gita teaching “Yoga karmasu kausalam,” he said that excellence in action can be achieved through inner discipline, whether in sports, academics, or everyday life.

The address concluded with a video presentation illustrating the impact of meditation on Michael Jordan’s career. Shri Kamlesh Patel encouraged the players to incorporate meditation into their daily routines, even briefly before matches, to cultivate clarity and composure under pressure.
On the court, the tournament delivered competitive performances across categories. In the Boys’ Singles Under 19 final, Dev Ruparelia of Maharashtra defeated Nishchal Chand of Uttar Pradesh with a score of 21 19, 22 20. The Girls’ Singles Under 19 title was claimed by Tanvi Patri of Odisha, who overcame Tanvi Reddy Andluri of Telangana State 23 21, 21 16.

In the doubles events, Charan Ram Thippana and Hari Krishna Veeram Reddy of Andhra Pradesh secured the Boys’ Doubles Under 19 title, while Diya Bheemaiah B of Karnataka and Baruni Parshwal of Haryana won the Girls’ Doubles crown. The Mixed Doubles Under 19 title went to Bjorn Jaison of Kerala and Diya Bheemaiah B of Karnataka.
Sanctioned by the Badminton Association of India, the eight day tournament saw participation from over 1,100 players representing 28 states and eight union territories at Kanha Shanti Vanam. With the conclusion of the finals, the selection process will now move toward finalising the Indian squad for the European leg of the Junior International circuit, including the Dutch and German Junior Internationals scheduled for February 2026.

The Heartfulness Gopichand Badminton Academy, located at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad, is a collaborative initiative between the Heartfulness Institute and Padma Bhushan Pullela Gopichand. The academy integrates high performance badminton training with Heartfulness meditation practices, supporting athletes in achieving excellence both on and off the court.

At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.