Saturday Nov 29, 2025
Saturday Nov 29, 2025
Monday, 22 September 2025 02:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB), in collaboration with the Sports Ministry, conducted a presentation ceremony to reward the young shuttlers who secured an impressive haul of 24 medals at the recent Badminton Asia South Asia Regional Championship 2025 held in Thimphu, Bhutan. The ceremony was held at the SLB Headquarters at Maitland Place in Colombo on 19 September, where players were presented with cash rewards and certificates, issued for the very first time by the conductors of the competition, Badminton Asia (BA).
Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, under the invitation of SLB President Roshan Gunawardena, presented cash rewards to 12 young badminton players, who all won Gold medals at the regional event held among South Asian nations from 18 to 22 August. Sri Lanka’s medal tally included 17 Gold medals, out of an impressive 15 finals appearances, six Silver medals, following five all-Sri Lankan finals, and four Bronze medals.
Interestingly, all 12 shuttlers representing Sri Lanka – six each of boys and girls – secured Gold medals, tallying 17 in both Team and Individual events.
On the first day of the tournament, Sri Lankan shuttlers delivered a commanding performance in Team events, winning all three age categories – Under-15, Under-17, and Under-23 – to emerge as undisputed champions of the tournament, while claiming 14 out of 15 Gold medals on offer in Individual events.
Organisers BA presented a handsome grant to SLB, in addition to the prize money they secured from the five-day regional competition, following a cordial and successful discussion between President Gunawardena and BA officials, while the tournament was in progress. The grant was divided and distributed in accordance to the number of medals and wins each Sri Lankan shuttler achieved and recorded.
Among the top achievers for Sri Lanka were Olympian Viren Nettasinghe, Ranithma Liyanage, Nethmi Ratnayake, and Nithini Guruge, who bagged three Gold medals apiece. The victorious Sri Lankan contingent included a total of 15 representatives, with three officials in addition to the 12 athletes. The Men’s squad also included Thamindu Randula Perera, Ranithu Premaratne, Senuth Sethmina, Keneth Aruggoda, and Dumindu Abeywickrama. The six women shuttlers were Rashmi Mudalige, Ranithma Liyanage, Limandi Padma Bandara, Nithini Sasandi Guruge, Vishwani Wanniarachchi, and Nethmi Amaya Ratnayake.
Gunawardena acknowledged the corporation and assistance granted by the Sports Ministry for entirely funding the travel and other expenses of the Sri Lankan team at the Bhutan tournament. The cash rewards and certificates issued by BA were presented to the 12 shuttlers by Minister Gamage and Gunawardena.
SLB officials Immediate Past President Rohan De Silva, General Secretary Ajith Wijesinghe, Vice President Buddhika De Silva, members of the Executive Committee as well as the Selection Committee, team officials of the Bhutan tour Head Coach Hasith Chanaka, Manager Amanda Weerasinghe, Lady Chaperon Hasinika Jayawardene, and Sports Ministry officials were also present at the event.
