Dharshana's badminton academy completes one year

BADMINTON: Former Sri Lankan Badminton Star Dharshana Fernando celebrated the completion of 1 year after launching his Badminton Academy with a colorful 'Awards Nite' in late 2006.

Known as 'Fernando's Youth Badminton Academy' Dharshana says he started this project for the love of the game and to get the youth in the community involved.

This project was an 'eye opener' for the parents and guardians of youth to put their youngsters forth sport.

Having played the game at the highest level for almost four decades he wanted to pass on his expertise and finer points of the game to the younger generation.

In Sri Lanka he was a Junior National Champion for several years, a National player & a coach who was able to assist several players to reach greater heights.

In Bahrain he was the National Champion and one of the most feared players in the Middle East.

In Sri Lanka during his time he was known as 'Badminton Fernando', In Bahrain known as the 'Sheikh of the Shuttle' and in Canada now known as 'Coach Fernando'.

His contribution to Badminton as a player and coach internationally has been unique comparing with any other player Sri Lanka has produced.

Fernando says that he started his academy with 7 students and today the numbers have grown to 56.

He said that though the Badminton academy has grown in size, scope and in Badminton training opportunities he would not lose sight of the original objective of 'providing deserving and promising youth players in the community with systematic training & coaching'.

Dharshana a (NCCP) National Coaching Certification Program certified professional Badminton coach in Canada is the Head Coach of his academy. Two Chinese coaches and an administrative officer assist him in the operations.

His most recent participation in a Badminton tournament was the World Masters Games in 2006 in Edmonton and he hopes to participate in the Sydney games in the year 2009.

Asked to comment about the standard of the World Masters and his future plans Fernando said 'participating at world level is very challenging and demands vigorous training, especially physical fitness training as you may have to face former world class players from the first round onwards and I am willing to accept this challenge.

Finally an always smiling Fernando said that he will continue to play & promote Badminton as long as he enjoys the game'.

Currently Fernando is a Marketing and Banking professional for a leading Bank in Canada.