Senthiya living and breathing badminton

Dev Senthiya  is all concentration during the  badminton at the New Zealand Masters Games...
Dev Senthiya is all concentration during the badminton at the New Zealand Masters Games yesterday. Photo: Peter McIntosh
This guy just loves his sport.

He plays, he coaches and he also owns the biggest badminton centre in the country.

And he just picked up a title at the New Zealand Masters Games.

Dev Senthiya (57) is enjoying himself at the games and was  sweating profusely when playing singles yesterday.

Senthiya  is originally from Sri Lanka, but has been in New Zealand for 25 years. He owns the New Zealand Badminton Centre which with 13 courts, is the largest badminton centre in New Zealand.

It has 13 courts and is open 365 days of the year, catering to a sport which is gaining in popularity in this country.

Senthiya said he had always loved the sport and it had many attractions.

"It is quick and you can play it until you die. Anyone can play it and at any level," he said.

"Then you can play it in all seasons and at any time. The sport is short-term and gives you a good sweat-up . . ."

It was  his first time in Dunedin for the Masters Games and he was enjoying his time in the South. Senthiya  teamed up with Nick Lemming, of Christchurch, to win the doubles in his grade.

The badminton has recorded strong entries with just over 100 players taking to the court.

Singles were played yesterday after team play on Saturday and doubles  were played on Sunday.

The badminton competition would wrap up with mixed doubles  today.

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