By Saif Izzadeen

Dakshitha Gunatilleke (Ananda) and Sadanidu De Silva(S. Thomas) who won their respective first round matches in action at the first ever Junior National Provincial Badminton tournament at the Sri Lanka Badminton association courts yesterday (Pic by Saman Kariyawasam).

Badminton players from outstation schools stole the lime light at the end of the first day of the maiden Provincial Junior Nationals Championships at the Sri Lanka Badminton Association courts at Maitland place yesterday.

The stunning result of the day was when Gampaha District Badminton Association (GDBA’s) S.A.D.H.Piyumantha got the better of Royal’s Thevin Rahubadda 21-8 and 21-11. Piyumantha dominated the game.

In other results where outstation schools got the better of Colombo schools were I.D.Dilshan Fernando of St.Peter’s Gampaha beat Asoka’s Sakutha Hirimuthugoda 21-3 and 21-2. Dilshan ran away with the game.

Kottawa Dharmapala’s Chalitha L. Subasinmghe made outstation schools’ day more memorable when he was able to overcome Prince of Wales’ Hasindu Jayakody 21-8 and 21-1. Jayakody couldn’t come to terms with Subasinghe’s shuttling.

In the morning session Ananda players dominated the proceedings by winning a majority of the matches and other schools had to play second fiddle to the Anandians. All their players won their matches convincingly.

This tournament is organized for the first time and is been conducted in the following age groups: Under 11,13,15,17 and 19. Girls schools are also participating in this tournament. In the boys section they are 51 schools with 175 players taking part. The tournament will be continued today at the same venue.