Today, even the under-10 category in bad minton is not recreational. With the way Darius Pardiwala (Bombay Scottish) and Bhargav Chavan (Bhavan’s Wadia) were guided throughout the final of the MSSA event, it showed how important the title was to the school and the boys.Eventually, it was Pardiwala and his coach Sachin Bharti that walked away with a title 12-21 21-15 21-11. But it wasn’t easy. Chavan put up a great fight making Pardiwala earn every point.

It was extra practice that helped nine-year-old Pardiwala to the title at the CCI yesterday. After making a second-round exit in the tournament, Pardiwala spent three hours of daily practice to achieve the desired result.

Though, it wasn’t an impressive start.Pardiwala lost the first game 12-21, but came back with a bang to win the next two (21-15 and 21-11) and the podium.

Pardiwala was never keen on badminton, he always wanted to play cricket. But this win has changed his mind and he now wants to make a career as a shuttler.

Pardiwala’s mother, Farzana, praised her boy.“He tops in his academics and loves to play other sports too. But his badminton skills are extraordinary. We want him to stick to badminton,“ she said.

Coach Bharti felt Pardiwala had the potential of turning pro. “He is a talented child. He has a long way to go and I think he can play at a higher level of badminton,“ said Bharti.

Sayed Roshan mirrorfeedback TWEETS @_MumbaiMirror