49th National Sports Festival Western Province clinch Men’s and Women’s Badminton titles

Western Province women’s team

Western Province men’s team

Most valuable players T.R.V. Rajakaruna (Men’s) and A.M.P.J. Adhikari (Women’s)

By Susil Premalal

Western Province players emerged dominant by winning both the men’s and women’s overall badminton championships at the 49th National Sports Festival (NSF), while Southern Province secured the overall runners-up positions in both categories.
Southern Province also excelled in consistency, but it was Western’s superior performance that ultimately sealed the top spots. 
The men’s third place was claimed by Central Province, while North Central Province secured third place in the women’s category. 
Rising star T.R.V. Rajakaruna of Western Province was named the Most Outstanding Player in the men’s category, while A.M.P.J. Adhikari of North Central Province received the same honour in the women’s category.
The championship, organised by the Ministry of Sports and the Department of Sports Development, was held at the Mercantile Badminton Association Indoor Complex in Colombo.

Results:
Men’s Singles: Champion – T.R.V. Rajakaruna (Western), Runner-up – Oshan De Silva (Southern), 3rd – S.M.M.H. Sooiyaarachchi (Central)
Men’s Doubles: Champion – Thewmika Palliyaguru & L.O.S.P. Karunarathna (Western), Runner-up – G.A.P.D. Abeysinghe & Sandeepani Dahanayake (Central), 3rd – Lahiru Madushala & L.R.R.P. De Silva (Southern)
Men’s Team: Champion – Western, Runner-up – Southern, 3rd – Central
Most Outstanding Player (Men): T.R.V. Rajakaruna
Women’s Singles: Champion – A.M.P.J. Adhikari (North Central), Runner-up – Dahamsa De Silva (Southern), 3rd – B.J.V. Vipulaguna (Northern)
Women’s Doubles: Champion – A.M.P.J. Adhikari & H.A.R.C. De Silva (North Central), Runner-up – R.S. Manage & T.D. Ambalangodage (Western), 3rd – Dahamsa De Silva & A.H. Masakorala (Southern)
Women’s Team: Champion – Western, Runner-up – Southern, 3rd – North Central
Most Outstanding Player (Women): A.M.P.J. Adhikari
Mixed Doubles: Champion – Ranthushka Karunathilaka & P.D.M.R.B. Mudalige (Western), Runner-up – M.T.Y.S. De Silva & A.H. Masakorala (Southern), 3rd – G.A.P.B. Abeysingha & Padma Bandara (Central)