Lankan shuttlers gear up for BWF World Junior Championships

The members of the Sri Lankan team which will compete at the 21st BWF World Junior Championships in Kazan, Russia, pose for a photograph with National coach Tony Wahyudi and coach on tour, former national champion Thilini Jayasinghe

An eight-member team of top Sri Lankan shuttlers are gearing up for the 21st BWF World Junior Championships which will take place at the Kazan Gymnastics Center in Kazan, Russia from 30 September to 13 October.

The team, coached by former national champion and double Olympian Thilini Jayasinghe, includes Lochana De Silva, Viren Nettasinghe, Chamath Dias, Thulith Palliyaguru, Chirath Illeperuma (Standby), Dilmi Dias, Panchali Adhikari, Chamudi Abeywickrema, Anurangi Maskorala and Jananuwani Amanda (Standby).

The manager on tour will be Saman Wijesinghe, secretary of Sri Lanka Schools Badminton Association. Malika Waduge will be the lady chaperon.

This year’s Junior Worlds will be held under two categories. The World Junior Mixed Team Championships will be held from 30 September to 5 October, followed by the individual and doubles events which will take place from 7-13 October.

Team Sri Lanka has been pitted along with South Korea, Singapore, Slovakia and Peru in their group. The team is currently taking part in a residential training program at the SLB Headquarters at Maitland Place, Colombo 7, under the close supervision of the coaches as the shuttlers prepare to face their international counterparts.

It is a known fact that players had the difficulty in finding sponsors to fund their tours in the past, but for the first time in the history, Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB), the national governing body will bear all expenses of the team which departs for Russia on 26 September. 

Sri Lanka contingent for BWF World Championships

Boys: Lochana De Silva (Nalanda College), Viren Nettasinghe (St. Peter’s College), Chamath Dias (Richmond College), Thulith Palliyaguru (Richmond College); Standby – Chirath Illeperuma (DS Senanayake College)

Girls: Dilmi Dias (Our Lady of Victories Convent, Moratuwa), Panchali Adhikari (Mahamaya Girls College, Kandy), Chamudi Abeywickrema (Anula Vodyalaya), Anurangi Maskorala (Southland Galle) Standby – Jananuwani Amanda (Visakha).

Coach: Thilini Jayasinghe

Manager: Saman Wijesinghe

Lady Chaperon: Malika Waduge