Imran Wadia of the NAIT Ooks has been named the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Male Badminton Player of the Year.

He received the award this evening at the 2018 CCAA Badminton National Championships banquet, hosted by Concordia University of Edmonton.

"Imran is a versatile player with tremendous skill in singles and doubles," said David Munro, CCAA VP Sport Development. "We are very proud of the attributes that he brings to the CCAA and congratulate him on this well-deserved award."

The third-year student-athletes went a perfect 9-0 in Men's Singles play and had a 5-1 record in doubles. He led NAIT to its eighth consecutive Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) team gold medal.

Wadia partnered with 2016 CCAA Male Badminton Player of the Year Nick Roque to capture the Men's Doubles title at the ACAC Championships.

The two-time CCAA All-Canadian showed tremendous growth in both his badminton game and place on the NAIT team this season. He has developed into a leader and a great role model for his Ooks teammates.

Wadia, who is currently ranked No. 2 in Alberta and No. 36 in Canada, is always assisting teammates and fellow competitors and is extremely well-respected throughout the conference and province.

"Imran understands the value of spirited competition at the highest level but is able to put it in proper perspective that makes him a role model within his own team and throughout the ACAC," said Munro.

CCAA Player of the Year winners receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA Championship Awards Banquet.

Other nominees for the CCAA Player of the Year award were Yuge Zeng of the George Brown Huskies (OCAA) and Jaryd Morrissey of the Mount Allison Mounties (ACAA).