Badminton: LiNing Nationals 2021 begins

The Badminton Nationals, the 69th edition, commenced at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium this week and go on till next Sunday (10), with a turnout of over 1000 entries, including para athletes for the first time.

Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) is taking all health protocols into account to ensure the safety of all participants and officials with medical personnel in attendance to ensure no undue lapses occur. 

Stringent inspections will prevail with social distancing and face masks mandatory.

A host of Sri Lanka's best talent will be on display except for the current champion, Niluka Karunaratne away at the World Championships in Spain. 

Dinuka Karunaratne has flown back from the United Kingdom to face the test from the challenges in the Open Men’s events, that will be posed by players of the calibre of Buwaneka Goonethilleka, Sachin Dias, Ranthushka Karunatilake, Rasindu Hendahewa, Viren Nettasinghe and Dumindu Abeywickrama.

In the Men’s Double, it is difficult to imagine a serious challenge to Buwaneka and Sachin, who have just returned from Bangladesh, having won the recent international championships while it is also unlikely that Sachin and Kavidi Sirimanna can be overwhelmed in the Mixed Doubles event.

In the Women’s Open, Thilini Hendahewa will make a strong comeback after a long break but not without a stiff contest from recent champs, Dilmi Dias and Hasini Ambalangodage. 

In the Senior category, all age groups from 35 years onwards, both Men’s and Women’s, are being contested heavily, while the Junior category will see a large influx of boys and girls from ages 13 to 19 years vying for honours. 

The Open category will comprise top contenders in five major events, where the big battles will be a treat to watch.

BWF rules will apply, ably conducted by veteran referees Sanjeewa Wijesekera, Lakpriya Edirisinghe and Samanthi Nawarathne supported by experienced foreign umpires from Nepal and Bangladesh. 

The Tournament is led by SLB Chairperson Lakshmi Punchihewa, assisted by Event Director Saman Wijesinghe with Jude Fernando overseeing coordination and logistics to ensure a smoothly run programme.

All arrangements are made under the guidance of SLB President Rohan de Silva and the Executive Committee members working to deliver an outstanding sporting experience. 

For the winners, prize money totaling Rs.1.5million is on offer along with competition awards and prizes.

As SLB proudly boasts, 'Serving for Success' is a motto they believe in and deliver each time players meet to test their skills and advance the value of badminton.