The tournament, which got under way in 1955 with the legendary Nandu Natekar emerging as the singles crown, is probably the only badminton meet in the city that has not missed a single edition. And all this without any help by way of sponsorship!

This year, the Maharashtra Badminton Association (MBA) decided to make it a Maharashtra State-Ranking Tournament, giving the singles champion a one selection point and half point to the runner-up. The MBA also awarded the Samaj with a memento of appreciation. The elevated status, however, might mean nothing to the players. The tournament is much more than academic value.

The sea-side setting, the hard courts which have remained unchanged since it was inaugurated in April, 1953, and the permanent smell of goodies in the air. The charm remains there -- from '55 or '99.

Says former National doubles champion Uday Pawar: ``It was always fun to play there, irrespective of the hardcourts. The women there used to make great vada pavto eat, always an incentive to play there. Apart from the atmosphere, the place has charm which has attracted players of several generations.''

The Samaj, consisting of and run only by women, have steadfastly refused sponsors, despite the many who approached them.

``We knew that with sponsors we will have more prize money, higher standard of players,'' said Sheela Chaubal, who was the tournament organiser of the maiden tournament. ``But we wanted to do it our way, with whatever little we have,'' she added.

The trend has continued. Current sports secretaries Deepa Patwardhan and Kavita Jatkar echo Chaubal's sentiments. ``We have always managed to raise the money. We cannot give huge prizes, but we have the pride of doing everything on our own,'' said Jatkar, who added that their main source of income was from a resident shop and wedding hall, apart from donations.

Players were attracted by the hospitality during the days when sport was much morethan money and celebrity status. AS Deshpande, who played here for the first time in 1956 and is currently coaching here, said the women used to personally call players and invite them to the tournament till 1974.

Agreed Pawar: ``It always felt like home.''

Chaubal recalled how she had collected Rs 1000 from season tickets, each costing Rs 10 during the ``early days'' even as she looked at the empty court stands on Friday. ``Players still come here though the days of the Natekars are firmly behind us,'' she said wistfully. About 348 entries were received this year.

Plans are afoot to finally make some changes. The courts which went ``colour'' in '92 -- the walls adorn green -- will soon have wooden flooring and tube lights if the proposal is sanctioned by the committee. Which will be the first change here since the tiles were laid in the indoor court.

The enterprising members of the Samaj promise that irrespective of these minor changes, the tournament will never let go. Who said nothing is permanentexcept change?