Sports

Hirusha, Thashara crowned novices champions

Published

2 years ago

2024/10/9

The winners received Tab Computers

Hirusha Abeysinghe and Thashara Jayarathna were crowned champions at the SLB Novices Age Group Championship 2024 concluded at the New Saniro Sports Complex in Naiwala, Veyangoda on Wednesday. Hirusha overcame Gimhana Yagama in straight sets, while Tharasha took the better off Nishadi Thenushika in the boys’ and girls’ Under-19 Singles finals respectively to emerge winners of the five-day competition conducted by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB).

Hirusha faced very little opposition from Gimhana in the boys’ Under-19 final as he won both sets 21-12 and 21-9 to record an easy win, while Thashara faced a sudden setback, losing the second set 11-21, after fighting her way to claim the first set 22-20. She maintained her composure to claim the decisive final set 21-19 after a hard-fought battle to clinch the girls’ Under-19 Singles title 2-1.

Vidun de Mel and Dilanka Indusara teamed up to beat Abishek Sooriyaarachchi and Thisal Wedage and claim the boys Under-19 Doubles title 2-1, after losing the first set 14-21. But they regained momentum to claim the two following sets 21-18 and 21-19 and claim the boys doubles crown.

Rishmitha Weerasinghe proved too strong against Buddhi Shenal, as he won the boys’ Under-17 Singles title in straight sets, while Sadesna Algama made a comfortable run in the girls’ Under-17 Singles final against Thinaya Gunathilaka to earn the title. Devwin Perera and Prasad Weerasinghe overcame stiff competition from Harish Iyangaran and Ayanahta Kamburapola, who were beaten in the boys’ Under-17 Doubles final in straight sets. In the Girls Under-17 Doubles final Senuli Kulasuriya and Dahamsi Samaraweera faced some resistance from Thenuki Gunathilaka and Sayumdi Suhasna, but managed to win the title with a straight win.

Eshan Fernando claimed a double crown in the Under-15 age category, as he won the Singles and Doubles titles after a composed performance. Eshan overcame Udan Abinindu in the boys’ Singles final before claiming the title with a 2-1, and teamed up with Yoshen Fernando to record a similar win in the boys Doubles final. Ranuli Suriarachchi won her duel against Ayami Sedara to claim the Girls Under-15 Singles title with a straight win, while Rianne Rathnasiri teamed up with Dinuwari Weediyage to beat the combination of Arundie Herath and Nethaya Sithsari in straight sets to claim the girls’ Doubles title of the same age category.

Vidan Ranasinghe showed some early resistance but Ramithu Dimansith readjusted himself to bounce back and claim the boys Under-13 Singles title with a 2-1 win. Prasanasa Eliyana had very little trouble in defeating Ayeshmi Fonseka in straight sets and clinch the girls’ Under-13 Singles title. Bimsara Jayasuriya and Sadesh Kamburapola were too strong against Senula Samarakoon and Mindinu Wimalarathna, who were beaten in straight sets in the Boys Under-13 Doubles final, while after an initial setback Ayeshmi Fonseka and Oneesha Silva bounced back to beat Thisasnie de Silva and Shalani Sathkumara 2-1 to win the Girls Under-13 Doubles final.

Eshan Jayawardana claimed a double crown in the Under-13 age category, as he won the Singles and Doubles titles to become the second shuttler of the competition to earn a double crown. Eshan overcame Nesath Abeysinghe 2-1 in the boys Under-11 Singles final, and then teamed up with Lushan Kamburapola to claim the Boys Doubles title with a straight win against Kiwen Abeysinghe and Anuka Indusara. Janandi Amaya too were shaken by Thinethi Sehansa initially, but managed to bounce back and claim a 2-1 in the Girls Under-11 Singles final. Dulanya Hirundi and Yuhansa Siriwardhana faced very little opposition from Vihangi Punchihewa and Dihansa Siriwardana, who were comprehensively beaten in straight sets in the Girls Doubles final.

A record number of entries, exceeding 1,000, were received for the inaugural Age Group Novices Badminton Championship, organised and conducted by SLB and its Regional Development Committee. The competition, which kicked off on September 28, went on until October 2 at New Saniro Airport Sports Complex in Naiwala.

The organisers lined up competitions beginning from the Under-11, Under-13, Under-17 to Under-19 for boys and girls, with the Singles winners of both boys and girls of each category guaranteed with a Tab Computer as the winning prize. In addition, all winners of the Doubles in boys and girls were presented with a set of branded playing racquets, while the runners-up of Singles and Doubles of both boys and girls categories of all age groups, received Badminton Equipment Kits as rewards.

Shuttlers who reached the semi-final stage in both Singles and Doubles of all age groups and categories were presented with Pen Drives, while the players who reached the quarter-final stage were presented with branded pairs of socks, with the able sponsorship of Sunquick, McFoil, Mobil, Li Ning, Multilac, United Sports and Prime Group.

Sri Lanka Badminton and its Regional Development Committee introduced the Age Group Novices Badminton Championship with the intention of creating a pathway for school shuttlers to reach the national stage.

The winners received Tab Computers

Results of all Finals:

Boys U-19 Singles

: Hirusha Abeysinghe beat Gimhana Yagama 2-0 (21/12, 21/9)

Girls U-19 Singles

: Thashara Jayarathna beat Nishadi Thenushika 2-1 (22/20, 11/21, 21/19)

Boys U-19 Doubles: Vidun de Mel/Dilanka Indusara beat Abishek Sooriyaarachchi/Thisal Wedage 2-1 (14/21, 21/18, 21/19)

Boys U-17 Singles: Rishmitha Weerasinghe beat Buddhi Shenal 2-0 (21/18, 21/13)

Girls U-17 Singles: Sadesna Algama beat Thinaya Gunathilaka 2-0 (21/8, 21/9)

Boys U-17 Doubles: Devwin Perera/Prasad Weerasinghe beat Harish Iyangaran/Ayanahta Kamburapola 2-0 (21/12, 21/17)

Girls U-17 Doubles: Senuli Kulasuriya/Dahamsi Samaraweera beat Thenuki Gunathilaka/Sayumdi Suhasna 2-0 (23/21, 21/18)

Boys U-15 Singles: Eshan Fernando beat Udan Abinindu 2-1 (21/12, 10/21, 21/9)

Girls U-15 Singles: Ranuli Suriarachchi beat Ayami Sedara 2-0 (21/14, 21/11)

Boys U-15 Doubles: Eshan Fernando/Yoshen Fernando beat Sivanga Fernando/Sheran Kaveesha 2-1 (19/21, 21/16, 21/19)

Girls U-15 Doubles: Rianne Rathnasiri/Dinuwari Weediyage beat Arundie Herath/Nethaya Sithsari 2-0 (21/17, 21/17)

Boys U-13 Singles: Ramithu Dimansith beat Vidun Ranasinghe 2-1 (14/16, 15/12, 15/11)

Girls U-13 Singles: Prasanasa Eliyana beat Ayeshmi Fonseka 2-0 (15/12, 15/3)

Boys U-13 Doubles: Bimsara Jayasuriya/Sadesh Kamburapola beat Senula Samarakoon/Mindinu Wimalarathna 2-0 (15/9, 15/2)

Girls U-13 Doubles: Ayeshmi Fonseka/Oneesha Silva beat Thisasnie de Silva/Shalani Sathkumara 2-1 (6/15, 15/10, 15/10)

Boy’s U-11 Singles: Eshan Jayawardana beat Nesath Abeysinghe 2-1 (13/15, 15/4, 15/10)

Girls U-11 Singles: Janandi Amaya beat Thinethi Sehansa 2-1 (13/15, 15/10, 15/12)

Boys U-11 Doubles: Eshan Jayawardana/Lushan Kamburapola beat Kiwen Abeysinghe/Anuka Indusara 2-0 (15/12, 15/7)

Girls U-11 Doubles: Dulanya Hirundi/Yuhansa Siriwardhana beat Vihangi Punchihewa/Dihansa Siriwardana 2-0 (15/2, 15/6)

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Sports

Chathura and Chamalka win schools half marathon titles

Published

8 hours ago

2026/10/12

Thilina Walpola

Winners of the boys race (front row from left) Sameesha Nimsath (2nd), Supun Chathura (first) and Suranga Lal Kumara pose with (back row from left), Upali Amarathunga, Additional Director of Education, Western Province, Rakmali Kariyawasam, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education, Krishan Duminda, Director of Sports, Ministry of Education, Prabath Indika, Deputy Director of Education – Sports and Dilruk Jayawardena, Deputy Director of Education – Sports

by Reemus Fernando

‎Supun Chathura of Welimada Central and Tharindi Chamalka of Nuwara Eliya High School claimed the boys’ and girls’ titles at the All-Island Schools Games Half Marathon, held in Colombo on Sunday.

‎Chathura won the boys’ race in a notable 1:14.51. Sameesha Nimsath of St. Pope Paul the Sixth MV, Gampaha, took second in 1:16.40, while Suranga Lal Kumara of Pussadewa Secondary School, Batagolla, clinched third in 1:16.42.

‎In the girls’ category, Chamalka won in 1:28.56. D.M.S. Nimsarani of CWW Kannangara MMV, Matugama (1:31.09), and W.S.C. Priyadharshani of President’s College, Ambagasdowa (1:33.10), finished second and third respectively.

‎The 21.0975-kilometre race, sponsored by Nestomalt, started at the Ministry of Education in Battaramulla. It passed through Polduwa Junction, Parliament Road, Ape Gama Junction, Kimbulawala Junction, Thalawathugoda, Hokandara Junction, Arangala Junction, Koswatta and Battaramulla Palanthuna Junction before returning to the starting point.

Girls winners (from left)D.M.S. Nimsarani (2nd), Tharindi Chamalka (first) and W.S.C. Priyadharshani

Sports

Cummins, Lyon set Australia up for big lead

Published

8 hours ago

2026/10/12

Thilina Walpola

Steven Smith took a smart catch to punish what could have been a proactive reverse sweep from Temba Bavuma

Pat Cummins outfoxed a lacklustre South Africa batting-order on a relatively benign Durban surface, while Steven Smith continued to showcase his mastery in the slips as Australia eyed a big first innings lead in the opening Test.

‎Outstanding bowling and fielding suffocated South Africa, who appeared set to be bowled out before tea on day three until a rearguard from Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer halted Australia’s push.

‎Cummins has been at his best, consistently challenging the batters as he regularly hit speeds of 140kph and above. He had 3-54 from 15 overs by tea, with all four frontline bowlers having taken wickets.

‎Smith backed up the bowlers by claiming three sublime catches, which lifted him past Joe Root for the most Test catches by a non-wicketkeeper.

‎With great anticipation, Smith moved into position to snare skipper Temba Bavuma, who had unfurled a reverse-sweep off Nathan Lyon. Smith then pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss David Bedingham, diving across first slip – it was No. 221 of his Test career.

Latest News

Farhan and Sadaqat help Pakistan seal series in style

Published

10 hours ago

2026/10/12

Priyan

Maaz Sadaqat clobbered 96 off just 51 balls [Cricinfo]

Maaz Sadaqat crashed 96 off 51,Sahibzada Farhan clobbered 73 off 44, and Pakistan scorched their way through the last 12 overs of their innings to mount a fearsome total of 215 for 3. Pakistan reaped 156 runs just in the last 12 overs of their innings, as a 73-run stand between Sadaqat and Farhan was followed by a manic 72-run partnership between Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz.

Sri Lanka’s batting was woeful in response. They slumped to 64 for 5 by the 11th over, with none of their top seven managing to get to 30. They limped to 133 for 7, having had their hopes of leveling the series wrecked by quicks Mohammad Imran and Salman Mirza, who took five wickets between them.

Sadaqat propels Pakistan into the stratosphere

The openers had laid a decent platform with Pakistan having got to 55 for 1 by the end of the seventh over. But it was Sadaqat who injected the energy that truly set Pakistan on course to their mammoth total. Having gone at less than a run a ball in his first eight balls, Sadaqat unleashed a spectacular lofted square drive off Eshan Malinga to collect his first six, before pumping the same bowler down the ground later in the 10th over.

Sadaqat would go on to clobber six further sixes and five further fours. The big hits tended to come down the ground, while his fours were more square of the wicket. Of the 125 runs Pakistan plundered in the second half of their innings, 79 off 40 came from Sadaqat, who pummeled both pace and spin with equal relish. Off the sixteenth over, bowled by Maheesh Theekshana, Sadaqat thumped three sixes in the arc between long on and midwicket.

Sadaqat, whose previous top score in three T20Is had been 50, could have gone to triple figures off the last ball of the innings, but holed out to deep cover instead, unable to quite find the power to lift a Malinga slower ball over the ropes. He had utterly dominated the middle and late overs, however.

Farhan sets the tone

On another flat Rawalpindi deck, Farhan made the first big charge, although he waited until spin came on to really get into high gear. Theekshana was one of his main victims as well. Farhan’s first six came from a slog sweep off Theekshana in the seventh over, before he launched the same bowler over wide long on and cow corner off successive balls in the ninth over. Getting to his 12th T20I fifty off the 31st ball he faced, Farhan began to aim big blows off the seamers as well. He was caught at deep third off the bowling of Dasun Shanaka, in the 15th over.

Sri Lanka stumble in the powerplay

An excellent Salman Mirza bouncer took the glove of Lahiru Udara in the first over, ending the innings of one of Sri Lanka’s few form batters for a mere five runs. And although Sineth Jayawardena – playing his first international in a full-strength Sri Lanka side – hit three consecutive boundaries in the third over, Sri Lanka were unable to build up any momentum in the powerplay. By the end of the sixth over, they had laboured to 35 for 2.

Imran’s spell lights up the middle overs

A full house in Rawalpindi was treated to some excellent fast bowling by Imran, who finished with the game’s best figures of 3 for 11 from his four overs. Having got Jayawardena to top-edge a desperate pull shot at the end of his second over, Imran had Kusal Mendis caught behind off a slower delivery, before two balls later (a wide in between), he took Sahan Arachchige’s edge with a quick delivery angled across the left-hander. Wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay made two diving grabs to convert these chances in the eighth over.

All through his unbroken spell, Sri Lanka’s batter struggled to so much as hit Imran off the square, despite the good batting conditions on offer. Imran mixed up his pace, frequently going to slower balls, but his line and length control were also excellent through the spell. When he finished his unbroken spell at the end of the 10th over, Sri Lanka’s required rate had climbed past 15.

Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Theekshana struck some late boundaries, but by the time they came to the crease, Sri Lanka did not have a realistic shot at levelling this series. They lost by 82 runs in the end.

Scores:
Pakistan 215 for 3 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 73, Fakhar Zaman 22, Maaz Sadaqat 96, Hasan Nawaz 19*; Maheesh Theekshana 1-55, Eshan Malinga 1-41,Dasun Shanaka 1-30) beat Sri Lanka 133 for 7 (Sineth Jayawardena 22, Kamnbdu Mendis 23, Chamindu Wickremasinghe 29, Maheesh Theekshana 32*; Salman Mirza 2=28, Mohammad Imran 3-11, Saim Ayub 1-19, Shadab Khan 1-19) by 82 runs

[Cricinfo]