By: Allaam Ousman

Dharshana Fernando’s Lifelong Passion for Badminton

For Dharshana Fernando, badminton was more than a game — it was a calling discovered amid a love for multiple sports. “I played soccer, cricket, hockey and did athletics – all those things. But when badminton was introduced, I felt I had a special liking for this sport. And I was able to master the basic techniques very quickly,” Fernando said.

That instant connection with the shuttle led to national success at a young age. “I became Under-10 champion, Under-12 champion, Under-14 champion, Under-16 champion and so on,” he added. Fernando competed at the national level in Sri Lanka before briefly relocating to Bahrain, where he made headlines once again. “I was working in Bahrain for a short period of time. And I was the national champion there,” he recalled. In 2001, he made a life-changing move to Canada and soon launched a new chapter.

“I wanted to start my own badminton training school. So that happened,” he revealed. To operate as a certified coach in Canada, Fernando secured formal credentials through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) — attaining Level 3 certification, a necessity for any coach in the country. Although Level 4 exists, Fernando, now content with his accomplishments and age, has opted to focus on nurturing his academy. Before the pandemic, the academy attracted over 200 young players and today it continues to serve around 125 students, aged 6 to 19. As the only Sri Lankan fulltime badminton coach in Canada, Fernando is proud of his unique role within the multicultural sporting landscape.

“This is my school. I’m the only Sri Lankan in Canada who is coaching,” said Fernando weeks later, launching Fernando into the world of international coaching. Fernando attributes much of his badminton success to his Sri Lankan roots, especially his coach.

“I’m proud to say I was trained in Sri Lanka. My coach was L.R. Ariyananda – seven-time national champion from Ambalangoda. He taught me all the artistry,” Fernando recalled. Though now focussed on mentoring others, Fernando still competes in Masterslevel tournaments, representing Canada and winning multiple gold and silver medals in the over-50 and over-60 categories.

Badminton runs in the family too. His daughter, Piumika, not only coaches alongside him but was also a world champion in Racketlon — a unique sport combining tennis, table tennis, badminton and squash. She claimed the title at just 16 years old. Fernando’s coaching philosophy centres on sharing the deeper, technical aspects of the sport with juniors, helping them progress to the next level. To hone his skills, he has studied training methods in powerhouse badminton nations such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Denmark. Beyond his academy, Fernando plays a key role in Canadian education as a coach for the Peel District School Board, where he trains both students and physical education teachers — a role that further expands his grassroots impact.

He has worked alongside several BWF-qualified coaches, contributing to a growing badminton culture in the region. He’s impressed with how badminton has progressed in Sri Lanka in recent years.

“The standard has improved tremendously. I’ve seen players like Niroshan Wijekoon, Niluka Karunaratne, and a new guy called Viren Nettasinghe. They play at a higher level than I did. “I went to Galle recently and was amazed to see the number of courts – nice carpets, nice lighting.

The infrastructure has improved a lot,” Fernando said. As for the future of the academy, Fernando is happy to pass the torch. “I just want to continue the academy. My daughter is taking over now. Badminton is my full-time profession. Earlier, I was a banker. I have a marketing background,” he said.

Despite settling in Canada, his connection to Sri Lanka remains strong. “About two years ago, I had a coaching programme at my alma mater – St. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela. I want to give something back,” he promised. From junior champion and Sri Lanka player to coach of national teams across Asia and mentor to hundreds of young players in Canada, Dharshana Fernando’s story is a testament to dedication, humility, and a love for the game that knows no borders.