Galle, Feb 5, 7.15AM – The Li Ning Sri Lanka Challenge International Badminton Tournament organized by Sri Lanka Badminton Association kicks off today at the Dadella Sports Complex in Galle. This tournament will highlight great badminton from around the world and also highlight local talent. It’s the first international badminton tournament in Sri Lanka in nine years and players from 20 countries will compete.
In the men’s singles, Sri Lanka’s Viren Nettasinghe is ranked fourth. India’s M. Manjunath and S. Subramaniam hold the top and bottom spots. Sri Lanka’s Buwaneka Goonethilleka, Ashinsa Herath, Dumindu Abeywickrama, and Rashindu Hendahewa will also compete. Ranitma Liyanage, the national champion, will play in the women’s singles.
Nettasinghe will play against India’s Tharun Mannepalli. Goonethilleka will face a qualifier, Abeywickrama against India’s Pranay Katta, Herath against Malaysia’s Teh Jin Hong, and Hendahewa against a qualifier. Liyanage will also face a qualifier.
The tournament is sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation and Badminton Asia and will be opened by Sri Lanka Badminton President Rohan de Silva. The final matches are on February 11 at 10:00 am.
Sports Minister Harin Fernando will attend the closing ceremony where winners will receive a total cash prize of $15,000. The tournament includes Open Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles, as well as Mixed Doubles. It will be broadcast live on Dialog Papare TV and Papare social media. Sponsors include Li Ning, Mobil, GAC, 3M, Mc Foil, and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, with American Water as the official drinking water sponsor.
