12 young shuttlers represent Sri Lanka at Badminton Asia Regional Championship
View(s):Sri Lanka will be represented by 12 aspiring and talented shuttlers at the Badminton Asia Regional Championship 2025, which began in Thimphu, Bhutan yesterday. Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) announced a strong squad of 12 shuttlers for the South Asian regional competition organised by the Bhutan Badminton Association under the supervision of Badminton Asia. The team left the island on Thursday.
The seven-day competition, which commenced on August 15, will continue until August 22 at Thimphu in Bhutan with athletes from Bangladesh, hosts Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka vying for honours. The Sri Lankan squad includes six each of Men and Women shutters, who compete across the three segments during the week. The segments include Under-23, Under-17 and Under-15, in which athletes representing the five South Asian nations compete under Singles and Doubles in both Men and Women and Mixed Doubles.
The Sri Lankan Men’s and Women’s squads with the team officials shortly before their departure
The Sri Lankan contingent includes a total of 15 representatives, with three officials in addition to the 12 athletes. Among the athletes turning out for Sri Lanka are Olympian Viren Nettasinghe, and aspiring women shuttlers Ranithma Liyanage and Rashmi Mudalige. The Men’s squad also include Thamindu Randula Perera, Ranithu Premaratne, Senuth Sethmina, Keneth Aruggoda and Dumindu Abeywickrama in addition to Viren Nettasinghe. The six women shuttlers are Rashmi Mudalige, Ranithma Liyanage, Limandi Padma Bandara, Nithini Sasandi Guruge, Vishwani Wanniarachchi and Nethmi Amaya Ratnayake.
Hasitha Chanaka is the Head Coach of both teams while Amanda Lalindra Weerasinghe takes charge as the Manager of both teams. Ms. Hasalika joins the contingent as the Lady Chaperone. According to the Regional Development Committee of SLB, the championship will be an ideal platform for the seasoned campaigners to add more international medals to their tally and an opportunity for newcomers to gain experience and exposure at a highly competitive regional competition.