Central Crusaders victorious

Chief Guest - National Olympic Committee President Suresh Subramaniam, Sri Lanka Badminton President Rohan De Silva, SLB Vice Presidents Palitha Hettiarachchi and Roshan Fernando and Chairman of Flex Spots Sanjeewa Akuretiya posing for a photograph with the Li Ning - Lanka Shuttle Challenge title winners Central Crusaders   

The Central Crusaders, captained by Buwaneka Goonethilake, yesterday emerged champions in the inaugural Li Ning - Lanka Shuttle Challenge after overcoming the Sachin Dias-led Southern Stars 4-2 at Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) Headquarters in Colombo.

The championship, Sri Lanka’s first high profile franchise-based badminton tournament organised by SLB, featured six franchises each consisting of 12 players, a first in the history of badminton in Sri Lanka.

In the final match-up yesterday, Roshan Padma Kumara and Nilasi Balasooriya lost to Goonathilake and Hasara Wijeratne 12-21, 14-21 in the mixed doubles event in the final before Dumindu Abeywickrama upset Sachin Dias 21-11, 17-21, 2-21 in the men's singles.

Sethum Perera won the boys' singles match against Kaviru Sanjitha 19-21, 14-21. 

In the women's singles, Hasini Ambalagodage earned Southern Stars' first win in the final by overcoming Isuri De Alwis 21-15, 21-11. 

Southern Stars made it 3-2 when the girls' singles match was won by Panchali Adhikara who outplayed Varangana Jayawardena 21-10, 21-9.

Central Crusaders captain Goonathilake teamed up with Lahiru Weerasinghe to defeat Chamath and Sachin Dias 21-9, 21-19 to make it 4-2 in the seven-match final round.

With an unassailable lead of 4-2 in favour of the Central Crusaders, there was no need of a women's doubles match between Hasara Wijeratne/Suhasni Vidanage (Southern Stars) and Buthmi Galagamage/Hasini Ambalagodage (Central Crusaders).

Leaders Southern Stars had topped the table to book a direct ticket to the semi-finals after an unbeaten run. They overcame Western Warriors, led by Kavidi Sirimanage, 4-2. 

Central Crusaders on the other hand, had to take on fourth-placed Island Titans, captained by Olympian Dinuka Karunaratne, before facing the Warriors. They beat the Titans 4-2 and eliminated the Warriors with a similar score line. 

The rest of the competing teams, Eastern Eagles led by Dilmi Dias, and Northern Knights captained by Niluka Karunaratne, were eliminated in the earlier stage.

National Olympic Committee President Suresh Subramaniam was the chief guest at the closing ceremony and presented the awards to the champions, runners-up and the most valuable players. Sri Lanka Badminton President Rohan De Silva, SLB Vice Presidents Palitha Hettiarachchi and Roshan Fernando, and Chairman of Flex Spots Ltd. Sanjeewa Akuretiya, also graced the occasion as guests of honour. 

The tournament is supported by the Ministry of Sports and Ministry of Health, with whose help SLB has put together a robust protocol to adhere to MOH guidelines to ensure the safety of players, officials and spectators.

Special Awards:

Most Valuable Player

Junior

Girls: Ranithma Liyanage

Boys: Setham Perera

Senior

Women: Hasini Ambalagodage

Men: Buwaneka Goonathilake

Most Valuable Players of the tournament, from left: Hasini Ambalagodage, Buwaneka Goonathilake, Ranithma Liyanage and Setham Perera   

Chief Guest - National Olympic Committee President Suresh Subramaniam, Sri Lanka Badminton President Rohan De Silva, SLB Vice Presidents Palitha Hettiarachchi and Roshan Fernando, and Chairman of Flex Spots Sanjeewa Akuretiya posing for a photograph with the runners-up Southern Stars