The Sri Lanka Badminton Association’s annual flagship event, the National Badminton Championships which is looked forward to by all shuttlers where they vie for national honors, was staged for the second consecutive year out of its traditional location Colombo, at the Jayathilaka sports complex in Nawalapitiya.
The organizers of this event had taken the initiative to enliven the contest by conducting the tournament on a grand scale. The new initiative also provided a novel experience to most of the players who competed in the national championships at an outstation location for the 02nd consecutive occasion. The main sponsors of the event consisted of Yonex Sunrise Company ( Pet ) Ltd – Singapore, along with Sri Lankan sponsor ‘Fashion Bug’. In additon to Cash sponsorships, Fashion Bug also gave away vouchers to the winners .
As one of Sri Lanka’s leading retail clothing chains with over 17 outlets island wide, Fashion Bug is heavily involved in Sports and CSR activities, with all 17 of their branches contributing and participating in these initiatives .In addition, Fashion Bug has also established their very strong CSR programme under it’s Educational CSR platform, ‘Sisu Dirimaga’. “We wish to make a significant and real change in the society we work in, and sports and education are a must for everyone in order that they may become responsible Citizens , regardless of age and gender”, said Director Fashion Bug, Shabier Subian.
This year’s championship signified a landmark as the event drew the highest number of entries in its history , thus amply displaying the surge in enthusiasm of those who are serious in taking part in the racket and shuttle sport .It is indeed an outstanding achievement justifying the ever increasing interest generated among the local badminton players whether they are still at school level, an up and coming National, or a well seasoned national star. The 62nd version of the competition turned another page in the game’s history in Sri Lanka , as Sri Lanka Badminton announced that for the second consecutive year the highest amount of prize money would be presented, amounting to Rs 1 million being on offer for those who emerged the winners of the weeklong event. All these landmarks will stand testimony to the capacity and the vision of the present administration of which the leadership is in the hands of well known Sports promoter and administrator Suraj Dandeniya .
The 2014 championship had 05 main segments namely Open Men’s & Women’s, over 35 & 40 under Veterans category , over 50 & 55 Masters , and School boys & girls under 11, 13 ,15,17,19. Thus, the championship caters to almost all segments of badminton lovers. Overall the week long championship consisted of 29 contests.
The flagship annual event once again attracted the best players this year too. Sri Lanka’s ace Men’s player Niluka Karunartahne had based himself at Nawlapitya, eyeing to clinch the Men’s Singles title for the 14th year which he did so in style, a feat which will most probably be unchallenged in the history of this awesome game in Sri Lanka . His Three younger brothers Diluka, Chamika and Dinuka did play in a manner to enhance image of the Karunarathnes. The youngest ever Womens’ National champion 19 year old , Youth Olympic player Thini Hendahewa of Visaka Vidyalaya took to the courts for a second term signifying a victory which was eluded last year. Eight times Women’s Singles winner, senior most in the clan , Chandrika De Silva too strived to stamp her class. All these players gave a close contest to the rest of the national level players while the Veterans and Masters had a grand time, reminiscent of the good old days.
Meanwhile a batch of 30 Umpires trained by BWF accredited Umpire Mr.Rohan De Silva were also recognized as accredited umpires of the SLBA Panel of Umpires during the tournament.
According to the organizers, all facilities have been looked in to and the players’ welfare had been considered as the top most priority. The award ceremony on 12th October brought the curtain down on a most successful National Badminton Championship. The Chief Guest of the Final day program Hon Mahindanada Aluthgamage the Minister of Sports could not attend the Award ceremony due to other official commitments but compensated by being present on the penultimate day motivating the players and well wishers who were present.
This year over 700 players were selected based on applications.
