In course of defending the title and earning his sixth trophy in overall, Tamang of Nepal Army Club defeated arch rival Bikash Shrestha of Armed Police Force (APF). Tamang, who hails from Bhojpur, came from a set deficit to overcome Shrestha 18-21, 21-13, 21-14.
Despite coming from the remote district, the sports friendly environment of his family helped Tamang to excel in the game. Not only Tamang, but his sisters, Sara Devi and Nangsal Devi are also established names in the Nepali badminton fraternity. Sara, the elder sister also won the women’s singles title on the same day by defeating Nangsal in the final. It was Sara’s 15th major titles. [break]
“I started playing the game in Bhojpur while I was seven. The family environment was not just friendly but supportive as well. Everyone in the family was involved in the game,” said Ratnajeet.
Sara Devi Tamang and Ratnajeet Tamang
Ratnajeet’s father Dan Bahadur was also an athlete, but not an established name. During his youth, Dan played football, later shifted to table tennis and lastly to badminton, shared Ratnajeet. Dan Bahadur was also the executive committee member of Nepal Badminton Association’s from 2064 BS to-2068 BS.
Ratnajeet marked his debut in senior tournament in 2065 BS during APF Badminton and was defeated in the pre-quarterfinal. However, he claimed the title the same year in a tournament organized on the occasion of Nepal Police Day. But he could not win other titles regularly.
Finally, Ratnajeet has caught the tune and has been undefeated since last year when he clean-swept all three major titles. Now what next?
“We’ve heard that there will be South Asian Badminton Championship and I’ll try to win at least a medal in the event. I’ve been working hard to get that,” said Ratnajeet who is recruited as clerk in the Nepal Army and has completed five out of his nine-month training.
His sister, Sara Devi Tamang is the current national badminton champion.
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