Central Crusaders carried away the first ever Li Ning Lanka Shuttle Challenge League 2020 Tournament beating Southern Warriors 4-2 on Sunday at the Mercantile Badminton Courts. Southern Stars who had a unbeaten record up to the final had to face their toughest battle against the top challenger throughout the day.
Southern Stars skipper Sachin Dias had to fight a tough battle in the Men’s Singles over his rival Dumindu Abeywickrama. Sachin won the first set 21-11 but in the second set Dumindu fought gallantly to overcome Sachin 21-17 and extended the game to the third set.
This set got off to a flying start with both hoping to come out with their best within a short period of time Sachin had to face the unexpected as he suffered a hamstring injury. Though he continued to play could not maintain his usual game to challenge Dumindu and lost the set at 2-21.
In the Mixed doubles the Crusader captain partnering Hasara Wijeratne had a comfortable victory over Padma Kumara and Nilasi Balasooriya in straight sets which also boosted the morale of Crusaders’ Shuttlers.
The first victory for Southern Stars was created by Panchali Adikari when she outplayed Varanga Jayawardene in 20 minutes completing the two sets in favour of her at 21-10, 21-09. The other win of the day for Southern Stars was made possible when Hasini Ambalangoda too had a comfortable victory in the Women’s Singles when she was in full control of the game and completed the match in two sets at 21-15, 21-11.
The most interesting game was the men’s doubles match between Buwanka/Lahiru of Crusaders and Sacin/Chamath. This became more interesting due to the fact the injured Sachin came in to play the game despite his injury with the sole intention of boosting the morale of his team. But he failed to achieve his target losing 9-21, 19-21.
Further damage was caused to Southern Stars when Women’s doubles was in progress between Buthmi Galgamage/Hasini Ambalangodage and Hasara Wijeratne/Suhasni Vidange. The first set was won by Crusaders at 21-10. The second set began and Southerners fought gallantly to be in front at the halfway mark with everything they had in store. But tragedy struck once again for Southerners as Hasini suffered with an injury with which she could not continue and she was carried off the court .Crusaders received a walk over when the scores read 21-10, 09-21.
The chairman of National Olympic Committee Suresh Subramaniam graced the occasion as the chief guest and gave away the awards. Addressing the gathering the chief guest said that “I am in front of you because of sports we are not working for a salary. Our services are Voluntary. We were given opportunities because we loved sports it helped us in many ways that is why we are here. You are the next generation getting ready to take up these positions. It is your duty to concentrate on sports seriously while also giving the top slot for education. Sports and education are the main two subjects that lead you to reach top positions.
Sports teaches you discipline while education gives You Knowledge”.
Subramaniam thanked the Sri Lanka Badminton Association President Rohan de Silva and his team for conducting this tournament on a grand scale adhering to conditions laid down due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
President SLB Rohan de Silva thanked all his Officials who worked tirelessly to make this event a highly a successful one. He said that SLB had to spend an amount of Rs. 3.5. The allocation for prize money alone was Rs. 600,000 with winner receiving Rs. 250,000, runner up 150,000, 2nd second runner up 100,000. In addition all participating teams at the tournament were given cash awards of Rs. 25,000 as a start up fee.
Results
Boys' Singles: Sethum Perera (CC) bt Kaviru Sanjitha (SS) 19-21, 14-21
Mixed Doubles: Buwaneka Goonathilake/Hasara Wijeratne bt Roshan Padma Kumara and Nilasi Balasooriya (SS) 12-21, 14-21
Men's singles: Dumindu Abeywickrama (CC) bt Sachin Dias (SS) 21-11, 17-21, 2-21
Mens Doubles: Buwaneka Gunetilleke/Lahiru Weerasinghe (CC) bt Sachin Dias/Chamath Dias (SS) 21-9, 21-9
Girls' Singles: Panchali Adhikara (SS) bt Varangana Jayawardena 21-10, 21-9.
Womens Singles: Hasini Ambalagodage (SS) bt Isuri de Alwis (CC) 21-15, 21-11
Special Awards:
Most Vauable Player Girls: Ranithma Liyange
Most Vauable Player Boys: Sethum perera
Most Vauable Player Women: Hasini Ambalangodage
Most Vauable Player Men: Buwanka Goonetilleke
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