HUNDRED Sri Lanka International begins in Colombo

By Susil Premalal

The HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Challenge 2025 commenced at the St. Joseph’s College Indoor Complex at Darley Road yesterday.

Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, the Rector of St. Joseph’s College graced the opening ceremony as the Chief Guest with Rohan de Silva, President of Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) and Dinesh Jayawardene, Vice-President of SLB and Chairman, Organising Committee.

The six-day competition, which was initially planned to be staged at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo, was shifted to the St. Joseph’s College Indoor Complex in Darley Road due to unavailability of the original venue.

St. Joseph’s College authorities swiftly responded to the request made by SLB officials in making the HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Challenge 2025 and the upcoming HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Series 2025 that will follow soon after.

“I should thank St. Joseph’s College and Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi for promptly coming forward in assisting Sri Lanka Badminton to rearrange this 12-day competitions at their Indoor Complex, noted Dinesh Jayawardene, Vice-President of SLB and Chairman of Organising Committee.

“Their assistance should be greatly appreciated given the fact that SLB had limited time to make all venue arrangements after the original venue was taken out from hosting over 650 international players competing under one roof.”

“Over 80 players are expected to be in action every day and there are 80 to 90 officials on duty at any given time to make this event a success,” added Jayawardene.

The HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Challenge 2025 will feature five events – Men’s and Women’s Singles, Men’s Women’s and Mixed Doubles, where over 650 international badminton players from 28 countries, including hosts Sri Lanka, will contest at the global event sanctioned by Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Asia (BA).

A total prize money of US $17,500 will be on offer at the HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Challenge 2025 which is sponsored by HUNDRED, Mobil, McFoil, 3M and Rovin.