Dharshana Fernando for World Masters Games

K. A. Perera, Wadduwa Special Correspondent

National Certification Coaching Program (NCCP) Certified Badminton coach in Canada, and former Sri Lankan national player Dharshana Fernando will be participating at the 7th World Masters Games in Australia. The games began on October 10 and he will be representing Canada in the Badminton singles event. "I have put in lots of effort to this event. My training began over a year ago and I have trained physically, psychologically, technically as well as done tactical training. It's tough to train all year around with other commitments but my passion for badminton has motivated me to continue what I am doing" said Dharshana, a former National Badminton Champion.

World Masters Games is the world's largest multi sport event and will be held in the biggest city in Australia in the capital of New South Wales, Sydney. The event is held every four years. Over 29,000 participants have registered in 28 sports for the 2009 games from 106 countries. Many of the sports competitions will be held at the 2000 Olympic Games venues something that has not been the case at any of the previous six World Master's Games.

The standard of competition is supposed to be very high as most of the participants are former world class players and former national champions.

Asked about his chances of winning a medal for Canada at the championships he said that all he can say is that he will be a very competitive participant at the event and that he hopes to do his best. He also takes pride in coaching his daughter Piumika Fernando to become a World Champion at the age of 16 at the World Racketlon Championships which was held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 2007.

Dharshana who is a reputed coach in Canada runs his own coaching school which is 'Fernando's Youth Badminton Academy' and has been a player and a coach for over 30 years with international experience and training. Knowing the value of continuous updating of knowledge Dharshana will be visiting China after the games in order to follow a coaching program to keep abreast with the latest techniques of badminton coaching. He will be visiting the Guangdong province in China for the coaching sessions. His wife Audrey Fernando will be accompanying him as his Manager for the tour.

Dharshana had a word of thanks for his sponsors who have immensely provided assistance to participate at international events. He said that Ravi Sirisena & Dona Mac, realtors of Century 21 have been associated with his badminton academy for the past three years and Anushika Anthony and Nimal Anthony of Anushika Anthony Legal Corporation has been associated with the academy for one year.

Dharshana said that these sponsors have not only helped promote badminton as a premier sports in the community but also showed their commitment towards their social responsibility.

In addition Victor Rackets of Canada has been sponsoring Dharshana for the last four years with badminton equipment and clothing.