GUWAHATI, May 19 � Rima Borthakur of Asomiya Pratidin and Shristi Shreyam entered the final in women singles badminton event of the 3rd Airtel Noerh East Media Sports Festival which got off at the Kanaklata Indoor Stadium here today under the aegis of Assam Sports Journalists Association.
In the semifinals, Rima defeated Barnali Das of DY 365 while Shristi got the better of Lina Saikia of Dainik Janambhumi.
In the men�s team event, Janambhumi and Photo Journalists Association made it to the last-four stage. In the quarterfinals, Janambhumi downed The Sentinel while the lensmen got a walkover against Kohima Press Club.
On the otherhand, in men�s singles, Ranjit Ray (NETV), Rituraj Konwar (Photo Journalists), Devankar Borgohain (DY 365), Sirkhat Hussain (News Times Assam) entered the next round winning their first round matches. Altogether 16 media houses are participating in the meet.
In individual events, 43 men and 13 women are in fray for the titles.
Earlier, local MLA Capt Robin Bordoloi formally inaugurated the nine-day festival. Director of Sports Sanjib Gohain Baruah, Deputy Director Anjan Sarma, Airtel official Anjali Chittaranjan, Assam Badminton Association secretary Omar Rashid, Director of Abhiruchi Institute of Physical Education Balendra Mohan Chakravorty were present as guests in the opening ceremony.
Surjya, Imtiaz in joint lead: In the 6 round swiss league event of chess held at the GTC Chess Foundation here today, after the end of round 3, top seed and last edition champion Surjya Lahiri of Sangbad Lahri share the lead on 3 points with Imtiaz Ahmed of The Telegraph. They are followed by I Ibobi of Sangai Express and Mridumoloy Lokhurakhon of The Assam Tribune on 2.5 points each.
On the third place are a group of 6 players with 2 points each. Altogether 26 players from different parts of the North East participated in the event.
