Guwahati, July 7: Two-time Olympian Dipankar Bhattacharjee today said he will not participate in the ensuing Hiteswar Saikia all-Assam ranking badminton championship, beginning here on July 12.
The former national badminton champion said he was short of practice and would like to return to the circuit in October-November. “I am not yet fully match fit. Things are not progressing as planned. Playing now could only aggravate my knee problem, which recurs after I have exhaustive sessions. I want to be doubly sure before returning to the circuit,” he said.
The 30-year-old former star player, however, made it clear that he intends to make a comeback soon. “I just don’t want to rush things because I am very keen on returning to the circuit before calling it a day,” he added.
The ranking meet assumes significance because the Assam Badminton Association (ABA) has decided to shortlist the probables for the state team for the 2005 National Games from the second edition of the five-day meet, organised by the Guwahati Badminton Club in memory of former chief minister Saikia.
AFA camp
The Assam Football Association (AFA) will conduct a coaching-cum-selection camp for the state team for the Northeast zone sub-junior national football meet, beginning July 21 in Aizawl.
The players for the camp are (goalkeepers) Ganesh Rongpi (Guwahati),
Ananta Gogoi (Tinsukia), Pradip Basumutary (Kokrajhar), Bhaskarjyoti Saikia (Barpeta) and Bikram Hance (Karbi Anglong). (Defenders) Dinesh Basumutary (Guwahati), Mantu Majhi (Dibrugarh), Ujjal Dihingia (Dibrugarh), Pranab Brahma (Gossaigaon), Ripon Mushahary (Gossaigaon), Jemdwn Brahma (Bijni), Laimwnsar Brahma (Udalguri), Birdwn Basumutary (Kokrajhar), Tansang Teron (Karbi Anglong), Rajesh Boro (Morigoan), Joy Brahma (Gossaigaon), Diganta Baruah (Dibrugarh), Brigukesh Rava (Guwahati) and Bikram Buragohain (Dibrugarh). (Linkmen) Winner Brahma (Udalguri), Xiviar Guriah (Gossaigaon), Kopil Borgohain (Sivasagar), Dhurbajyoti Chagmai (Sivasagar), Issac Tirkey (Guwahati), Munna Limbo (Tinsukia), Kamal Narzary (Bongaigaon), Jitu Hazarika (Dibrugarh), Fwjwbshrang Wary (Kokrajhar), Samar Boro (Kokrajhar), Ratan Teron (Karbi Anglong), Surajit Deori (Morigaon) and Apollo Rongmei (Silchar). (Forwards) Narapati Brahma (Gossaigaon), Rajesh Goyari (Kokrajhar), Deba Ram Basumutary (Guwahati), Lalit Limbo (Tinsukia), Kamal Mushahary (Bajali), Netromoni Hazarika (Kaliabor), Pranjaljyoti Rabha (Guwahati), Lompo Basumatary (Karbi Anglong), Bhupen Basumutary (Karbi Anglong), Nolam Das (Morigaon), Kajaigek Rongmei (Silchar), Kalal Phukan (Dibrugarh) and Moni Kanta Brahma (Kokrajhar).
