Sri Lanka win big at SA Junior Shuttle Tourney

By Susil Premalal

The Sri Lanka junior badminton players returned home yesterday following a successful campaign in Guwahati, India, where they clinched two silver medals and seven bronze medals from individual events, apart from two runner-up trophies in the team events, at the South Asia (SA) Regional Junior Badminton Championships.

The tournament was organised by the Assam Badminton Association under the supervision of Asia Badminton and Badminton Association India and saw shuttlers from five countries, namely Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and Bangladesh, and hosts India, in action.

Sri Lanka finished as runners-up in both the Under-15 and Under-17 age groups, behind India on both occasions.

The Sri Lanka Under-15 team included Mihila Jayaweera, Thejana Herath, Nethmi Ratnayake, and Pawani Illeperumaarachchi. They defeated the Maldives 5-0, Nepal 5-0, and Bhutan 5-0 before going down to India 0-5.

The Under-17 team, which included Pulina Wellalage, Shenuk Somarathne, Ranithma Liyanage, and Varangana Jayawardena, trounced Bhutan 5-0, Nepal 5-0, and the Maldives 5-0 before losing to India 0-5.