Dandeniya withdraws

CT Sports: Ceylon Today reliably learns that former president of the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA) Roshan Gunawardena will be a strong contender to contest the post again when they conduct their election of office bearers on 24 March.

With Gunawardena tipped to be a strong contender the current president Suraj Dandeniya has decided to withdraw from the race.

Gunawardena who was first appointed as president of the SLBA in 2010 had imposed a ban of one year on Sri Lanka national champion Niluka Karunaratne for disciplinary reasons.

However, Gunawardena quit as president in 2011 due to political pressure. When Ceylon Today made enquiries regarding his intention to contest again he said that he is coming forward because of requests made by many followers.

"Many officials of the association have requested me to come forward again and help raise the standard of badminton from where it has fallen to now. Present president Suraj Dandeniya has also given me the blessings to contest this time.

The President, the Prime Minister and the Sports Minister have not tried to influence me in any way to came forward to contest for the top post. However, two former Sports Ministers who were fearful of my contesting, have come forward to help another party who will be contesting together with me. I regret that. Anyhow, whatever problems that arise, I will win," said Gunawardena.

Accordingly, former President Professor Ranjith Silva, Nishantha Jayasinghe as well as an individual who is said to be a President of a Provincial Association will contest this election.

Present president of SLBA Suraj Dandeniya confirmed that he is withdrawing from the contest. He also said that he has done a lot for the players and that during his tenure of four years he created a lot of opportunities for players to participate in international tournaments. However, the players were playing the game as a leisure. He said that he was disappointed and hoped the new president will motivate them in a different way.

"I have given every facility to the players and even found sponsors but they blamed me and I thought of quitting as president.

Hope the future president will do something," he added.

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Inter Club Badminton C’ship on 10, 11, 12 February

The Western Province Badminton Association (WPBA) Inter Club Team Badminton Championship will be held on 10, 11 and 12 February at S Thomas' College Sports Complex, Mt Lavinia.

WPBA is affiliated to the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA) and is one of the most active and popular Badminton Associations of Sri Lanka. Since its formation in 1973, WPBA has conducted its Inter-Club Team Championship among its member clubs. With the passage of time new teams joined in and the Championship became the most popular badminton event in the Province.

Clubs and Institutions in the Western Province, and even non-members, are able to take part in the tournament. All players should be residents of the Western Province.

Winners and runners-up will receive certificates, medals and gifts. The Organizing Committee has also decided to award cash prizes to the winners.

Entries will close on 3 February 2017 and should be handed over to the Tournament Secretary or General Secretary of the WPBA.

For further details contact Lalith Perera 0766852907, Ruwan Fernando 0716160346, Chinthaka Fernando 0712301515 or Asanka Peiris 0718217056 or www.wpba.com
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UVA PROVINCE ALL ISLAND BADMINTON TOURNAMENT

The above tournament was successfully completed on 15 January 2017 at the St Thomas’s College Bandarawela. The Chief Guest of the event was President Sri Lanka Badminton Mr Suraj Dandeniya, and the Guests of honour were Actg Principal of St Thomas’s College Bandarawela,Secretary SLB Wing Commander Amal Dias and Mr Nishantha owner of Yang yang.
Master Ranthush Karunathilake and Ms Lekha Shehani became the champions in both Mens singles and Womens singles events.
President of UVA badminton Province Mr Jayasuriya and Secretary UVA Mr Thilak Jayasiri were also present at the event
SLBA

Lankan hopes at Rio Olympics: NILUKA KARUNARATNE

The country’s undisputed badminton champion Niluk Karunaratne would have played cricket for Sri Lanka, if he had not opted for the shuttle sport as a teenager.
“I played cricket for my school in under-15 division 1 tournament and our team emerged all-island champions. My father was in England at that time. But since his return after a stint in England, I was concentrating on badminton and opted to master that sport,” Karunaratne told the Daily News.
Karunaratne is raring to come out with another sensational performance when he competes in the men’s singles event at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The 31-year-old ‘king’ in local men’s badminton has made a vast improvement in recent times under his South Korean coach Kim Young Man.
It was the same coach who trained Karunaratne in Poland during his lead up to the last Olympic Games in London four years ago. Another proud product of Royal College, Karunaratne had the rare honour of becoming the overall captain of the Sri Lanka contingent for the last Olympics and sprang one of the biggest surprises at the London 2012 Games’ badminton competition.
He humbled eight-seeded Kenichi Tago of Japan in the first round of the men’s singles 21-18, 21-16 – the best performance by a Lankan shuttler in Olympic history. Thus Karunaratne had the honour of making it to the pre-quarter finals where he was knocked out by India’s Parupalli Kashyap after a fighting performance 14-21, 21-15, 9-21.
Impressed by the South Korean coach’s efforts, Karunaratne has retained his services – this time under home conditions. “Unlike for the last Olympics, I have been training in Sri Lanka for Rio 2016 Games and personally hired my previous coach who has worked hard with me for the London Games,” he said.
“I have improved a lot since the last Olympics. Since my appearance at the London 2012, I have beaten many top players. I am in good shape, making the ideal preparations for my second Olympic Games,” he said.
“I am in much better shape now, compared to where I was when I made my Olympic debut in 2012. I have played the longest match in world badminton for the past 20 years, beating Finland’s No. 1 Ville Lang,” he said.
The 14-time Sri Lanka national champion in men’s singles has been in the international circuit since he was 18, beating many top ranked players. Unfortunately, he has not been fortunate enough to win a major championship in recent times, although he has come closer to winning international titles in Australia, Wales, Belgium and Iran.
Nevertheless, he has proved his might by beating some top shuttlers in international tournaments in Miami, Puerto Rico, Wales, Iran and Uganda.
He had come across top ranked players from Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, England and Wales in the above tournaments.
Karunaratne, born on February 13, 1985 in Galle, took to badminton at the age of eight years like a duck taking to water, following the footsteps of his father Louvie Karunaratne, a former national level champion and a veteran coach. “My father took me to witness some matches and even coaching sessions for his players when I was very young. That made badminton my passion from an early age,” he said.
Only a year after making his debut in major competitions, Karunaratne won the Amazon Circuit, showing early signs of a champion in the making. It will be a Herculean task for anybody to better Karunaratne’s record of becoming national men’s single champion for 14 year. He has won the national singles title for nine consecutive years, bettering Ravi Kuruppu’s record of six times.
“I know that I am both mentally and physically fit for the challenge ahead. I want to make use of every opportunity that comes my way and Olympics are no exception but a very special moment in my career. My aim is the make my presence felt and spring a surprise as I did the last time. I know I could do something, something special for my country,” he added.
The recent banning of the Sri Lanka Badminton Association by the world governing body over a constitutional dispute (a few other national bodies in other sports too suffered the same fate) prevented Karunaratne from playing for Sri Lanka in several major international tournaments.
As a result, his international ranking in world men’s singles has dropped drastically from 34th to 93rd.
Nevertheless, Karunaratne has not been starved of international competition. He found entry to several top tournaments at which he came across several top-ranked players in the world circuit.
Asked what his plans would be after the Olympic Games, the champion shuttler said he wishes to remain in the international circuit for a few more years. “I will continue to play for the country, I have a few more years left in my career and would make every effort to make my country proud,” he said.
The winner of the Royal Crown at his alma mater for his outstanding performance as a champion badminton player, Karunaratne said he has been training hard over the past several months, focusing fully on his second Olympic appearance.
“It is a tough task ahead. But I am geared to face the challenge. I will definitely make my presence felt in Rio,” said the overall captain of the Sri Lanka contingent for the last London 2012 Games. “There are no short cuts in becoming a badminton champion. Hard work and dedication is the art, as in any other sport. You cannot produce a champion overnight and there are no instant recipes. It takes at least five years of hard training to become a national badminton champion,” was Karunaratne’s advice to those taking to the sport. 
www.dailynews.lk

Niluka earns Rio ticket

Sri Lanka's premier badminton player Niluka Karunaratne is certain of participating at the Rio Olympic Games according to the Tripartite Commission of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

According to the BWF, 172 players have qualified for the Olympic Games while six players including three men and three women will receive the Tripartite Commission invitation to qualify for this event.

So far, a total of 166 players have already qualified based on their rankings and Niluka Karunaratne and two other players have been selected based on the Tripartite Commission.

The Sri Lanka Badminton Federation (SLBF) were planning to send Lekha Shehani to the Games as she is ranked 132nd in the World Rankings at present.

The SLBF President Suraj Dandeniya is hoping to make a request to the BWF Executive Committee to get the Women's Tripartite Invitation as well so that Sri Lanka will be able to field another badminton player at the Games.

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No changes to SAG Badminton Team Minister reassures

CT Sports: Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara reassured that no changes will be made to the list of players already selected in the Sri Lanka Badminton Team for the South Asian Games (SAG) which will be held in India next month.
The minister made these comments when he had the opportunity of meeting the parents of the eight-member Sri Lanka men's badminton team at the ministry office in Colombo yesterday.
The Sri Lanka Badminton Federation (SLBA) earlier, named a sixteen-member squad comprising of eight men and eight women following trials conducted last month.

Ceylon Today reliably learns that several attempts have been made to include brothers Niluka and Dinuka Karunaratne in the SAG squad, even though they did not participate in the Selection Trials. As a result the two players were not considered for selection.
One of the parents who participated at the meeting with the Sports Minister said that the minister had given an assurance that no changes will be made to the present SAG Badminton Team.

Minister Jayasekara also confirmed that he had received an appeal to include the Karunaratne brothers in the SAG Badminton Team and that he had forwarded the request to the National Selection Committee to take a final decision.
The SLBF have already conducted a number of training sessions for the current SAG Badminton Team members and have already finalized the players who will be competing in the singles and doubles.
Meanwhile, Director of Sports K.D. Ruwanchandra said that the SAG Badminton Team will be officially announced today.

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Dulanjana and Enuri emerge champions

CT Sports: Maduka Dulanjana from Ananda College Colombo and Enuri Gayara Kuruppu from Visakha College Colombo clinched the Boys' and Girls' Under-19 singles title respectively at the DS Smashes Badminton Championships Organized by the D.S.Senanayake College Oldboys and worked off at the College Indoor Courts on Sunday.
This year, 1,250 students from a total of 125 schools participated in the championship in four age group categories, Under-11, 13, 15, 17 and 19. All matches were conducted on a knock-out basis.
Oshada Thilan de Silva and Rajith Pramod from Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda emerged second and third respectively in the Boys Under-19 Tournament.

In addition, Udari de Alwis from Musaeus College Colombo and Dhakshitha Jayaratne from Holy Cross College Kalutara took the second and third place respectively in the Girl's Under-19 Tournament.
In the Boys Under-19 doubles category, the duo of Rajitha Pamod and Oshada Thilana de Silva won the title while the pair of L. Hettiarachchi and Enuri Gayara Kuruppu won the Girls Under-19 Championship.

The combination of Dinuka Kaluarachchi and Adeesha Kaluarachchi took the second place in the Boys Under-19 doubles tournament while the pair of Dineth Gunathilaka and K. Rajapaksa secured the third place in the Boys Under-19 doubles event.
Sandunika Mullegama and Rajini Balasuriya were placed second in the Girls Under-19 doubles event while Dhakshika Rajaratne and Udari de Alwis were placed third in the Girls Under-19 doubles Tournament.

The tournament was approved by the Ministry of Education and all matches were officiated by the referees from the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA).
President of the SLBA Suraj Dandeniya along with D.S.Senanayake College Principal R.M.M. Ratnayake graced the occasion as Chief Guests during the awards ceremony.

www.ceylontoday.lk

Cheeky Karunaratnes skipped SAG Trials – SLBA

CT Sports: Sri Lanka's top ranked badminton players, Niluka Karunaratne and Dinuka Karunaratne, have been axed from the Sri Lanka Team for the forthcoming South Asian Games (SAG) as both had not participated in the SAG selection trials.

Nevertheless, according to a reliable source and an expert in the field, it's evident that both Karunaratne's skipped the trials purposely as they are in no position to win a medal in the regional championship though they are pampered by many top officials in the country.

Also, he further said the two players are trying desperately to maintain their ranking positions as the elder Karunaratne (Niluka) is ranked No. 121 in the world which is in complete contrast to his ranking during the last Olympics (2012) which was at No. 47.
Nevertheless, there are eight Indian players who are ranked above Niluka in India including one in the top 10 where a SAG medal is only a dream for the two shuttlers and losing would be a big blow for their World Rankings.
The Selection Trials for the SAG was held on 4, 5 and 6 January that selected eight men and eight women.

The Sri Lanka Badminton Associations (SLBA) Vice-President Palitha Hettiarachchi said that the Association informed all players officially on 30 November and Niluka and his brother Dinuka didn't inform the reason why they did not participate at the trails.
He further said, they have learned that these two players had left to Poland for training but they did not get the approval from the Association prior to the visit. President SLBA Suraj Dandeniya said that, as a team they have failed to win medals at SAG, Commonwealth Games or Olympics.
"The players' ambition should be to perform well for their motherland. If they skip trials like this it's safe to say that they are not doing any good to their motherland".
Yet, Niluka had a completely different story.

"We came to Poland to train for the SAG. We informed the SLBA before we left Sri Lanka on 26 November and they were aware of everything. They just wanted to remove us from the SAG. We will hold a press conference just after we return back on 1 February" said Karunaratne who is now in Poland.
"Suraj Dandeniya just wants to take revenge from us, we have all the evidence", he added.
Despite his poor form Niluka receives the highest International Olympic Committee (IOC) Scholarship award of US$ 1,500 per month until the 2016 Rio Olympics although he has not performed to expectations, where he has not even won a South Asian medal.

Similarly Sri Lanka has only three athletes who have already secured Olympic qualifications but none of them has been granted the said scholarship though Niluka is nowhere near to qualifying for the 2016 Olympics.
The women's team: Thilini Hendahewa, Kavindi Ishadika, Lekha Shehani, Achini Ratnasiri, Oshadi Kuruppu, Nadeesha Gayani, Upuli Samanthika, Chandrika de Silva.
The men's teams: Bhuwanaka Gunathilaka, Sachith Dias, Imesh Hasaranga, Vihavi Madush, Thisara Nimika, Maduka Dulanjala, Thisal Yatawara, and Sumedha Ranaweera. 

www.ceylontoday.lk

DS Smashes 2015

CT Sports: The Badminton Development Foundation of the Old Boys' Association of D.S. Senanayake College will be organizing DS Smashes 2015. This will be an Age Group Open Schools Badminton Championship in aid of the development of badminton in the school and with the intention of promoting the sport at national level.

This tourney is scheduled to be held from 7 January 2016 onwards and will continue over a period of 7 days at the D.S. Senanayake College indoor sports complex. The organizers are expecting more than 1300 participants from all over the country.
DS Smashes started in 2012 with a highly successful event with over 1000 entries from 115 leading schools in Sri Lanka, and was commended as one of the best tournaments organized by any association.
This time the tournament will be held under the age categories of 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 players, and both girls and boys matches will be held on a knock-out basis.

The organizers are expecting more than 1000 entries for both singles and doubles matches. All the necessary facilities are being arranged for players as well as the spectators. A certificate and a gift will be given to all the participants, and winners will receive medals and valuable prizes.

The tournament is approved by the Ministry of Education and will be officiated by referees from the Sri Lanka Badminton Association. It will be held under the accepted rules and regulations of W.B.F. and adopted by S.L.B.A.
Closing date for entries will be 23 December 2015. For further details please contact Manjula De Alwis (0777761732) or Priyan Hettipathirana (0773591112)

www.ceylontoday.lk

Thilini Promodika grabs Women’s Singles title

Niluka retains crown

YASARATNE GAMAGE Reporting from Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka’s undisputed king on the badminton court, Olympian Niluka Karunaratne retained his title when he defeated his brother Dinuka Karunaratne in the final of the Open Men’s Singles of the National Badminton Championship 2015 concluded in Anuradhaura on Tuesday.

The duo also won the men’s open doubles but the biggest upset was when Niluka missed his tripple crown when he and Nadeesha Gayanth lost to Buwaneka Goonathilake and Kavindi Sirimannage in the Mixed Doubles Open.

Thilini Promodika Hendahewa grabbed the Open Women’s Singles title when she defeated Kavindi Sirimannage in the final.

The 63rd Badminton National Tournament was held in nine courts in two indoor stadiums in Anuradhapura including the newly built Mike Cooke stadium.

All players reaching quarter finals and upwards had the opportunity to contribute achievement points to their respective province, school Club or Company as a new initiative this year.

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[Event results]

Open Mens’ Singles

1. Niluka Karunaratne
2. Dinuka Karunaratne

Open Women’s Singles

1. Thilini Promodika Hendahewa
2. Kavindi Sirimannage

Open Women’s Dboules

1. Achini Rathnasiri and Upuli Samanthika
2. Chandrika de Silva and Thilini Hendahewa

Open Mixed Doubles

1. Buwaneka Goonathilake and Kavindi Sirimannage
2. Niluka Karunaratne and Nadeesha Gayanth

Under 19 Boys’s Singles

1. Resinthe Ridma
2. Maduka Dulanjana

Under 19 Boys’ Doubles

1. Nadith Anushka and Resintha Ridma
2. Imundu Liyanage and Pasindu Palliyaguru

Under 19 Girls’ Singles

1. Kavindika de Silva
2. Inura Kuruppu

Under 19 Girls’ Doubles

1. Kavindika de Silva and Nilmithera Hettiarachchi
2. Udana de Alwis and Dakshina Rajaratne

Under 17 Boys Singles

1. Tharin Punchihewa
2. K Amarasena

Under 17 Boys’ Doubles

1. Tharindu Ambegoda and Tharin Punchihewa
2. Kasun Amarasena and Venu Pathirana

Under 17 Girls’ Singles

1. Hashini Ambalangodage
2. Hasara Wijeratne

Under 17 Girls Doubles

1. B Galagamage and Tharushi Rathnayake
2. Hasini Ambalangodage and Hasara Wijegunaratne

Under 15 Boys’ Singles

1. Chamath Dias
2. Janiske Perera

Under 15 Girls’ Singles

1. Ilmi Dias
2. Anurangi Masakorale

Under 15 Boys’ Doubles

1. Banuka Abeyseinghe and Janishka Perera
2. Chamath Dias and Charith Illeperuma

Under 15 Girls’ Doubles

1. Dilmi Dias and Anurangi Masakorala
2. Irushi Perera and Bimalka Gunathilake

Under 13 Boys’ Singles

1. C Hanmitha
2. S Weerasekara

Under 11 Boys’ Singles

1. R Rupathunge
2. S Devasundara

Under 11 Girls’ Singles

1. Dewmi Hithora
2. S Umagiliya 

www.dailynews.lk

Niluka wins triple crown at 60th Badminton nationals

Niluka wins triple crown at 60th Badminton nationals

 

Sri Lanka's number one badminton player, Niluka Karunaratne won Triple Crown at the 60^th National Badminton Championship held at the Royal College Sports Complex Sunday, October 21. Thilini Pramodhika won two titles, including the all important women's singles.

 Niluka beat his own brother Dinuka in the finals with scores of 21/15, 22/20 to confirm his status as the top ranked player in the country. This is the 11^th time he won the national championships.

After a clamorous encounter, Thilini Pramodhika beat Lekha Shehani by 21/11 and 21/14 to emerge as the champion.

Ms. Ranjani Jayakody, Director General of the Department of Sports Development was the chief guest at the awards ceremony. 

Final Results:
Men's Singles
Niluka Karunarathne beat Dinuka Karunarathne (21/15, 22/20)
Men's Doubles
Niluka Karunarathne and Dinuka Karunarathne beat Hasitha Chanaka and  Eranga Fernando (21/19, 21/14)
Women's Singles
Thilini Pramodhiak beat Lekha Shehani (21/11, 21/14)
Women's Doubles
Oshadi Kuruppu and Kavidi Ishadika beat Sushmitha Ilangakoon and Chandrika de Silva (21/14, 21/14)
Mix Doubles
Niluka Karunarathne and Thilini Pramodhika beat Chandrika de Silva and Lasitha Menaka (22/20, 21/17
(www.dailymirror.lk)