Viren Nettasinghe and Ranithma Liyanage emerged men’s and women’s open champions at the Premasiri Halabage Memorial Southern Open All Island Badminton Championships 2022, organized by the Southern Province Badminton Association (SPBA) under the auspices of Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB).The finals were held at Dadalla Indoor Stadium on Saturday (19) two promising shuttlets Viren and Ranithma excelled at the open singles event to take major titles.
Ranithma Liyanage the women’s champion receiving her medal and certificate from Deepa Halambage the wife of late Premasiri Halambage while SLB President Rohan De Silva also in the picture. |
Viren Nettasinghe the Peterite shuttler who also won the bronze medal at the recently concluded Uganda International tournament once again came up with a performance to beat Dumindu Abeywickrama of Royal in a three setter game . Dumindu won the first set by 21/18 but Viren fought back strongly to win next two sets 22/18, 21/8 to win the men’s open championship.The current National champion Buwaneka Gunathileka and Thilini Hendahewa and Sachin Dias did not take part at the singles event to focus on their doubles event.
Meanwhile the 15 year old Ranithma Liyanage of Christ church College Baddegama came to the limelight by defeating experienced Dilmi Dias at the women’s open singles final in a hard fought three setter game.
Ranithma won 22/20 in the first set while Dilmi Dias the 21 year player who was the 2021 National champion made 21/17 set to equal the game .However young Ranithma gave a superb display at the deciding set winning 23/21 to take the title .This was the first time Ranithma took the major title at the open event. Meanwhile Sri Lankan number one men’s doubles pair Buwaneka Gunathileka and Sachin Dias won the men’s doubles title defeating Sasindu Ranthushka and Indonesian player Shehal Islam 21/19, 21/16 .Islam also the Assistant coach for the National team was partnered by former Nalandian Ranthushka in the men’s doubles event.
The women’s double won by Dilmi Dias and Thilini Hendahewa defeating Budmi Galagamage and Nadeesha Gayanthi while mixed doubles event was won by Sachin Dias and Thilini Hendahewa defeating Lochana de Silva and Sasindu Hansamali . Sri Lanka Badminton President Rohan De Silva and Deepa Halambage the wife of late Premasiri Halambage handed over main awards medals and certificates at the presentation ceremony.
Sanjeewa Wijesekera and Samantha Nawaratne the experienced two Asian officials were in charge as tournament chief referees during this six day tournament which ended successfully.