Badminton Nationals 2020 in February

Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) has just announced that their premier event, popularly called the Badminton Nationals, will be held from 10–14 February at the SLB and MBA Courts, as successfully done with the Lanka Shuttle Challenge 2020 last December.  

The event normally draws in excess of 1,000 participants, but this year’s event will be restricted to competitors over 15 years of age who will be accommodated in the OPEN category. SLB will treat this as a closed-door event and strict accreditation will be enforced to limit numbers within the court premises. 

However, the event will not lack for glamour and interest, as Sri Lanka’s top players and a string of die-hard Badminton enthusiasts will take-up the challenge and vie for honours. 

Reigning Men’s Champion, Niluka Karunaratne will take time off from his Olympic qualifying campaign to defend his crown, while Dilmi Dias will seek to retain her hard-won title, as she is returning to the game after a lay-off to focus on her studies. 

Entries close on 29 January at the SLB Office at Maitland Place, Colombo 7. The Draw is scheduled for 6 February, while the event will take off on 10 February. The opening ceremony will see some of the Champions of yesteryear in attendance. 

So, it’s going to be a smashing contest for all local shuttlers come February. As a blurb quipped, ‘SLB is ready to lay it on for those who love to serve!’ 

Li Ning and the McLarens Group stays with the sport as primary sponsors.