Western Province Badminton Association spearheads revival of the sport

The COVID 19 pandemic disrupted a carefully crafted 2021 Competition Schedule with most Provincial Associations unable to conduct their Annual Tournaments, the last being the Summer Season programme in Nuwera Eliya last April. WPBA has been undeterred and responded to the Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) call to organize a Ranking Tournament, as a precursor to the Nationals in December this year.

From November,10 to14 WPBA will unfurl their Open Ranking Championships 2021 at the MBA (Mercantile) and OSC (Otters)Courts with access restricted to players and one guest only, respecting health protocols and making appropriate arrangements to conduct the tournament safely. WPBA is fortunate to have Telecom Supremo SLT MOBITEL come forward to sponsor this event and provide the much-needed support to give a boost to this event which has drawn over 300 entries from all over the island. All Sri Lanka’s elite players are expected to participate and focus on their ranking having in mind the Nationals in December.

Top ranked Men’s star players, Buwaneka Gunetileke, Sachin Dias, Ranthushka Karunatilake, Rasindu Hendahewa, Viren Nettasighe & Dumindu Abeywickrama are back in the island after extensive tours. For the Women, elite shuttlers, Kavidi Sirimanne, Dilmi Dias, Achini Fernando, Hasini Ambalangoda, danithma Jayatileke & Ranithma Liyanage will be the players to watch.

Age Group matches are also bound to see some exciting contests. Only the Karunaratne brothers are away on tour and BWF top-ranked Thilini Hendahewa is still recuperating from illness.

Keen competition can be expected which will be live-streamed via the SLB websites & FB pages! SLT Chairman Rohan Fernando will be Chief Guest at the finals and Awards Ceremony on Sunday.