National shuttlers boosted by Li Ning
As many as 100 badminton players invited to the National Pool lined up last week at the Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) courts to receive a full complement of Li Ning gear, which comprises of high end rackets, shoes and training plus competition dress ensemble, as they await the call for national training no sooner COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Already, the Elite Squad have received their materials and have been in training in a limited programme conforming to health guidelines. The Li Ning package is worth a lot to SLB as it is a long-term commitment that covers all of its national pool players as well as the annual activities, mainly the tournaments sanctioned by SLB including the epic Nationals each year.
Sanjeewa Akuratiya representing Li Ning was at hand to join SLB president Rohan de Silva in leading the presentation to the players comprising the Elite, Senior, Intermediate and Junior groups. SLB secretary Mohan Wijesinghe, treasurer Mangala Gamage and vice president Palitha Hettiarachchi associated with the event.
Selection Committee Chairman, Niroshan Wijekoon was also a keen participant as he overlooks the trials and selections that will take place shortly to pick the teams for the World Junior Championships in October this year and the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
Hettiarachchi, who heads the National Players’ Training Committee (NPTC) remarked that now all national badminton aspirants have what it takes to perform on the world stage. Apart from the attractive Li Ning equipment, integrated training on-court, physical and nutrition goes on relentlessly with his committee assigned to overlook each of the groups. Players signed a Code of Conduct to signify their agreement to the SLB training and development process and their long-term commitment to the sport.