Badminton Nationals blockbuster from today with record entries

From left: Sri Lanka School Badminton Secretary Malika Waduge, Sri Lanka Badminton Vice President Roshan Gunawardene, Sri Lanka Badminton President and Tournament Director Rohan De Silva

The Badminton Nationals held over from 2022 due to recurring country issues will take centre stage from 16 to 22 January at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium supplemented by sections at the SLB and MBA indoor courts. 

A record number of entries received going well over the benchmark 1,500 reaching close to 1,700 in all. The junior section posted close to 1,300 while the open event drew 84 entries of the Men and over 40 for the Women, demonstrating the absolute keenness from a new breed of young shuttlers

Notable absentee will be the veteran and current champion Niluka Karunaratne who has now retired from the local circuit remaining unchallenged over the years. His sibling Dinuka who has flown back from the UK, will now look to take over that mantle and attempt to keep the handsome trophies in the family vault. 

Taking up the challenge will be a host of young hopefuls led by Viran Nettasinghe, Dumindu Abeywickrama and last year’s finalist, Rasindu Hendahewa. Senior players like Buwaneka Gunetileke and Ranthushka Karunatilleke will no doubt be in the fray. 

The ladies challenge will also come about with evergreen Thilini Hendahewa and Kavidi Sirimanage keen to get the better of the young challengers in Ranithma Liyanage, Panchali Adihkari and others

The Organising Committee led by Tournament Director Rohana de Silva is bringing all his international experience to bear on curating a lively event designed to transform the fortunes of Badminton in Sri Lanka. Most Ex Co members are working as a team to support Rohana with President Rohan De Silva leading the charge. Having Rohan at the helm has been a great blessing to the sport with his very generous financial support and influence with many stakeholders put together to bring out the best in the sport.

Gaja TV has been appointed Electronic Media Sponsor and has assured the SLB that they will provide extensive coverage for those who are unable to make their way to the stadiums. Arrangements are also made to live stream matches on SLB and SLCBA website and FB channels. 

Furthermore, the SLSBA is also working with the Colombo District Schools network to bring school badminton enthusiasts by special buses to witness at first hand, this top flight sports competition and encourage them to take to the sport. 

Guests of Honour at the finals and closing ceremony are expected to be dignitaries of the Sports Ministry with the Minister as Chief Guest. 

SLB President will do the honours at the opening ceremony. Past National Champions and Past officials of SLB are expected to be among the distinguished guests. Chief Referee Sanjeewa Wijesekera is in command to ensure a flawless schedule is kept in place and rules equitably applied across the board. 

Maters Events will see some of the best players produced by Sri Lanka in action, bringing down the curtain on another immaculate Badminton Nationals that most expect will surpass previous events.  

As the Badminton fraternity knows only too well, the Nationals’ sets the tone and ranking of the National Squads of the future and earmarks players who will do the honours at International Level in the future. It is therefore the premier event in the Badminton calendar and for that reason, conducted to International standards setting new benchmarks of organisation in the country.