Sri Lankan badminton enjoying best time ever - SLBA President

By Sajeewa Jayakody

Sri Lanka badminton is enjoying its best time ever, as far as the international competition for local players on home soil is concerned.

The current Yonex Sunrise Badminton Challenge 2014 has enabled Sri Lanka badminton players to test their skills against some of the top competitors from 16 countries before their home supporters.

Hosting a mega international tournament of this magnitude would undoubtedly give more confidence to the local players who will have the luxury of playing on a familiar surface in front of their home supporters. Their exposure to international competition is an important factor before they play in international competitions out of Sri Lanka.

Hosting the Yonex Sunrise Badminton Challenge 2014 is a result of the untiring efforts of the President of Sri Lanka Badminton Association, Suraj Dandeniya. On the eve of the 17-nation tournament finals, we spoke to Sri Lanka badminton chief to know more about his success story for local badminton. Here are the excerpts from the interview with SLPA President Dandeniya.

What does this tournament - Yonex Sunrise Badminton Challenge 2014, signify?

It signifies the growth and popularity of badminton in Sri Lanka. From the formation of the first ever badminton club in 1909 in Dimbula, the establishment of Badminton Association of Ceylon in 1950 and to the Schools Association in 1970, Badminton in Sri Lanka has surpassed many significant milestones to reach this level. And it is with great pleasure that we bring forth this tournament to capitalize the interest the sport has garnered throughout the years.

What do you hope to accomplish?

With the organization of such a tournament of great magnitude on the international stage we hope to accomplish a successful tournament on home soil. This event has proved to be a great source of exposure to the Sri Lankan players and opportunities like these don't come around often.. So we are trying our very best to showcase what Sri Lanka has to offer. This is an eye opener of the standard of badminton for the players, coaches, parents and spectators forthe . If you don't know the standards how can our players reach this level.

How many countries are participating?

In total there are 17 countries taking part. These include Australia, Austria, Chinese Taipei, Denmark, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, South Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the USA.

What is the response from the international badminton community?

This event is one of the major international badminton events to be held in the South Asian Region and is the first ever BWF World Ranking Event to be staged in Sri Lanka.

SLBA is an affiliated member to the Badminton World Federation and has garnered the full blessings of the world body that has a total of 176 members. It is also one of the largest sporting bodies with around 250 million active participants across the globe.

The Badminton Asia Confederation, of which Sri Lanka is a founder member, is the regional representation of BWF. The support and response we have received has been very generous and without it this event would not have been possible.

Did you expect such an event of great magnitude to ever take place?

Not even in our wildest dreams did we expect an International tournament of such standing to take place. Even the fact that 17 countries are participating is an immeasurable joy.

Why should badminton be given such a prominent place compared to other conventionally popular sports played in Sri Lanka?

This tournament aims to promote badminton in its best qualities. These include the high level of athleticism, flexibility, speed and coordination required by all players as shown on the court by their superb level of playing.

Also badminton is a spectator sport and definitely an adrenaline inducing one. Spectators get to take part in the awe and rush of the sport.

Therefore, by hosting events such as these we promote such features that make the sport a truly endearing one and we are confident, if not already, that badminton has made its way to become one of the most played sports in schools and clubs.

You mentioned the spectators, how has the response been from the home crowd?

It's like the home crowd are a part of something big and they know it. This standard of playing has never been seen in Sri Lanka. The crowd support and take part in the activities on the court no matter who is playing.

Their eyes are glued to that little shuttlecock.We guarantee that any person who walks out of the stadium leave with the feeling of admiration for the sport. In our checklist that's a definite check.

What about all the international delegates, what do they get out of this?

This is a world ranking event. Points are up for grabs and all international players are aiming for that top spot. A part from the players we also have officials and judges from various other countries including Bangladesh, Maldives, Bahrain and Nepal.

On a whole we want to make this an event they'll never forget. Sri Lanka has much to offer and sport is a key factor in the showcasing of this Island.

We've given our maximum in providing all the necessities of the international participants and most of them have realized the hospitality and splendor of the people and places of Sri Lanka.

What preparations were made to make this a world class event?

With the guidance of the BWF various measures were taken to bring this to a standard that surpassed all others. A special BAC Umpires training program is taking place from June 1 to 8, 2014. Special arrangements have been made on the technical side such as for the first time in badminton in Sri Lanka, the match control has been fully computerized with the help of Tournament Software.

What's the future of Sri Lanka Badminton?

Onwards and forward! This is just the first step towards in a great plan. The potential of this sport, we hope, will exponentially grow. By making this an annual event not only will we garner more fans for the sport but also improve the standard of badminton in Sri Lanka.