Shuttle double for Achini

Shuttle double for Achini

The 58th National Badminton Championships concluded on a grand note at the Royal College indoor sports complex yesterday. Achini Ratnasiri won a double in the women’s tournament while Dinuka Karunaratne clinched the Men’s Singles title.

Women’s National Badminton champion Achini Ratnasiri in action. Picture by Prince Gunasekara

Achini beat Chandrika de Silva in the women’s singles final by 21/12, 23/21 and in the Women’s doubles final Achini with her partner Upuli Weerasinghe won over Amali Amarasinghe and Nadeesha Gayanthi (21/13, 21/6).

Dinuka Karunaratne overcame Eranga Fernando (21/14, 21/7) in the Men’s singles Final. Dinuka is the brother of nine time National Champion Niluka Karunaratne.

In the men’s doubles final match R S Kasun and Nuwan Hettiarachchi won over Hasitha Chanaka and R S Dahanayake (21/18, 18/21, 21/17) after a close contest.

Lasitha Menaka and Chandrika de Silva edged out Nuwan Hettiarachchi and Achini Ratnasiri in the Mixed doubles final match (11/21, 21/16, 21/17).

The chief guest at the awards ceremony Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage addressing the gathering appealed to parents to encourage children to take part in sports as the Government has negotiated with the Higher Education Ministry to consider 10 admissions to the university faculties on the basis of international sports events participation.

He further explained the Sports Ministry’s new scheme of monthly payment to National and international level players. “Badminton will be a main hope of a medal for Sri Lanka in the 2018 Commonwealth Games,” the Minister said.

Sri Lanka Badminton Association officials, School players and a large number of people were present at the event.

Other results:

Plate Championships

Girl’s: Yashmitha Wedamulla beat Sithara Jinithanjala (21/13, 21/14).

Boy’s: Senura Hapuarachchi won over Hirantha Thilekaratne (13/21, 21/15, 21/17)

Over 40 singles

Niroshan Wijekoon beat Clarance Homer (21/11, 14/21, 21/7)

Over 40 doubles

Clarance Homer and Harsha Hettiarachchi won over Darshana Senarathne and Niroshan Wijekoon (21/16, 21/19)

Over 50 singles

Parakrama Basnayake beat W Ariyasena (21/16, 14/21, 22/20)

Over 50 doubles

Parakrama Basnayake and N Gunasiri won over W Ariyasena and S Perera (21/15, 21/15)

(www.dailynews.lk)