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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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