SLB conducts successful World Badminton Day Walk

Tuesday, 8 July 2025 05:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) successfully conducted the annual World Badminton Day Walk, graced by dignitaries and a large presence of players, coaches, and officials on 5 July, around the vicinity of its Headquarters at Maitland Place, Colombo 7.

Former decorated sprinter, Olympian, and current Sports Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne led the World Badminton Day Walk, organised by SLB, headed by SLB President Roshan Gunawardena and its Regional Development Committee (RDC) chaired by Buddhika de Silva, with a majority of the local badminton fraternity in presence as expected.

“Badminton is an Olympic sport, and definitely the most engaged sport in Sri Lanka apart from the players who are involved at the competition level from junior to international. With the high rate of non-infectious diseases in Sri Lanka, badminton is the ideal sport that could provide the lacking workout and energy, both physical and mental. As a former sportsman, I know how important it is to have every citizen engage in some sport activity, and badminton is one of the best solutions. As the world celebrates World Badminton Day closer to nine decades, let the walk help send that message across the country,” Thilakaratne said initiating the walk last Saturday.

Upon the invitation of the RDC, a majority of players, coaches, parents, supporters, and followers joined the World Badminton Day Walk, which began from the SLB Headquarters. The walk commenced at 8 a.m. and proceeded towards St. Bridget’s Convent and the Independent Square before returning to the SLB Headquarters, covering approximately 4 kilometres.

“SLB is ever grateful to all our stakeholders, including the officials, staff members, players, coaches, parents, the Police and the armed forces, and all who willingly joined to make the World Badminton Day Walk a grand success. This annual day is celebrated in over 200 countries across the world today, and we should be proud as Sri Lankans to join the rest of the world in celebrating badminton and spreading the good message of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and unity,” stated Gunawardena following the walk.

The Western Band of Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, heralded the World Badminton Day Walk 2025, which had an overwhelming procession of players, officials, parents, coaches, trainers, and badminton enthusiasts. Many local badminton icons joined the World Badminton Day Walk alongside Deputy Minister Thilakaratne, SLB President Gunawardena, RDC Chairman de Silva, former President Rohan de Silva, and officials of SLB, who cohesively commemorated the founding of the International Badminton Federation, now known as BWF, on 5 July 1934.

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