EGBA’s Chetty aiming for All Africa champs
He captained the EGBA U17 team at last year’s interprovincial tournament in Durban.
Eastern Gauteng Badminton Association (EGBA) player Havish Chetty has set his sights on representing SA at the All Africa U19 Championships in August.
Despite a tough 2025, Chetty is convinced that this year he could finally realise his dream of donning the green and gold and doing battle for the country on a bigger stage.
“It would mean everything to go to the All Africa Championships because it’s what I’ve been training for from day one.
“It will be a big goal and a bigger achievement,” he said.
Reflecting on the past year, the 17-year-old Benoni Eco-Campus learner said the lessons he learnt have set him up nicely for the season ahead as he looks to assert himself and reach at least the semis at major national tournaments.
“It was a bit difficult. There were lots of challenges. The year before was much better. Sometimes you have those missteps, and then you get back up. But we are slowly progressing.
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“This year, I want to at least achieve a semi-final for the U19 opens or provincials. That will help me in my goal of making the All Africa Games team.”
The athlete first held a racquet and a shuttlecock two years ago, growing fond of the sport with each game. He captained the EGBA U17 team at last year’s interprovincial tournament in Durban.
“I have a passion for the sport. I want to represent our country, and this year the goal is definitely the U19 All Africa Champs. Badminton is a sport I find competitive and thought I could compete on a national level in,” said Chetty.
Though the past two years were tough, he cited hard work, consistency and dedication as the key pillars that moulded him into the player he is.
“I’ve been training consistently. Badminton requires a huge amount of skill. With all that skill, and for me to get this far is good. It’s a very technical sport that many people underestimate. Competing at a national level has been great.”
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