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.
