Six shuttlers for Asian Development Training Camp

YASARATNE GAMAGE

The Asian Development Training camp 2010 is being held at New Vision Badminton Academy in Kuala Lampur in Malaysia, from November 14-29 in which six shuttlers from Sri Lanka are participating. Lasitha Menaka, Nuwan Hettiarachchi, R S Roshan, Dilshan Kariyawasam, Kawindi Ishadika and Puneeha Pasqual have been selected for the program.

The training camp is aimed at selecting 10 players in the over 19 category and 10 under 19. The selected players will be entitled to receive $ 3000 each inclusive of air tickets and accommodation for international tournaments. Lanka Badminton President Roshan Gunawardana had discussions with the Malaysian officials to get prominence and wider space for Sri Lankan players in such occasions.

Gunawardana told Daily News that as a result of the negotiations the Asia Badminton

Association had agreed to hold badminton training camps and to donate badminton equipment (rackets, nets, shuttles) to 40 schools which haven't participated in the sport yet, by the end of 2011 December.

This will be carried out under the project 'Badminton from Village to City' (Gamen Ratata Badminton).

Furthermore ABA has agreed to give free training to the teachers of those schools by Malaysian trainers.

The former Sports Minister has agreed to give auditorium and accommodation facilities to the trainees. Roshan Gunawardane also added that recommendation had been given to hold an International Badminton Tournament in Sri Lanka in March 2011. Officials from ABA are to visit Sri Lanka before December 31 to inspect the feasibility of the indoor stadiums and accommodation facilities for players from 20 countries.

A discussion was also carried out with the Nippon and Jaica companies by the Sri Lankan Badminton Chairman which succeeded in getting more aid to the sport.

Accordingly Jaica has agreed to allocate a badminton trainer for two years to train Sri Lankan coaches, junior players and to bear the total cost for the program.