Jharkhand’s emerging shuttler Aadhya Singh has signed a three-year sponsorship contract with Yonex Sunrise – world’s number 1 brand for badminton equipment.

The youngster, a resident of Adityapur in Seraikela-Kharsawan district and currently ranked fourth in India (under-15 age group), is the first badminton player from Jharkhand to get the sponsorship support.

Yonex Sunrise will sponsor complete equipment like racquet, shoes, kitbag, shorts, t-shirts, etc. to Aadhya for a period of three years.

Aadhya, a student of Sheyn International School in Kandra (Seraikela-Kharsawan), hones her skills under national coach Sachin Rana at Mohan Ahuja Stadium in Jamshedpur.

Jharkhand Badminton Association (JBA) secretary, K Prabhakar Rao said, “Aadhya has a long way to go and she has got the sponsorship at the right time. Aadhya is a talented shuttler who is ranked number 4 in the country. She’s a hard worker and is making rapid improvements in her game.”

The 14-year-old is the first player in Jharkhand and Bihar to participate in all age groups – under-13, under-15, under-17 and under-19 – in one calendar year.

Aadhya likes to compete in higher age groups, added Rao, who is also the joint secretary of the Badminton Association of India (BAI).

The shuttler seldom skips daily training sessions. “Aadhya is a talented shuttler who is making steady improvements. She loves to take up challenges. Her hand and eye co-ordination is very good,” said mentor Sachin, who has accompanied Indian badminton teams for off-shore competitions on more than one occasion.