Badminton Nationals set for January 16 to 22

By Susil Premalal

The 2022 Sri Lanka National Badminton Championships conducted by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) will be held from January 16 to 22, 2023 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, SLB and Mercantile Badminton Association Courts in Colombo.   

This is the 70th senior nationals and the 38th junior nationals, with over 1,000 shuttlers vying for honours.   
SLB under the dynamic leadership of President, Rohan De Silva is leaving no stone unturned to put together a successful tournament that will bring out the best talent in the country.   

Leading the Men will be top seeds, Buwaneka Goonethilleka, Sachin Dias, Ranthushka Karunatilleke, Rasindu Hendahewa, Viren Nettasinghe and Dumindu Abeywickrama while the Women will be led by evergreen Thilini Hendahwa and Kavidi Sirimanage, Nadeesha Gayanthi, Ranithma Liyanage and Varangana Jayawardena.   
The junior groups will see many new faces emerge, with the preliminary rounds all worked out by the Sri Lanka Schools Badminton Association (SLSBA) as well as those coming from outside the school network.  Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe will be the Chief Guest on the final day where prize money topping Rs.2m will be awarded for the winners and runners-up.