Viren Nettasinghe emerged the men’s Open singles winner when he surprisingly beat the more experienced Sachin Dias in the men’s Open singles event at the 12th All Island Open Badminton Championship of the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC). This was a Level One ranking (Platinum) tournament and was held recently at the SSC Badminton Complex and MBA Indoor courts, Colombo 7.
The SSC Open, the most popular badminton event, drew 1162 entries for 39 events covering all age groups, from under-13 to over-65, men’s and women’s Open singles and doubles, Open mixed doubles, singles and doubles for boys and girls under-19, 17 and 15.
Events for singles boys and girls under-13, men and women veterans over 40 and 45 singles and doubles, men’s masters over 50, 55, 60 and 65 singles and doubles were also worked off.
Family mixed doubles were for husband and wife, father and daughter and mother and son.
Prizes totalling over Rs.500,000, trophies and certificates were awarded to the winners and runners-up. Semi-finalists received trophies and certificates. All quarter-finalists in the under-15 and 13 age groups were presented with certificates to encourage their involvement in the game.
In the main Open events, although the more experienced got the better of their opponents, young Viren Nettasinghe sprang a surprise beating Sachin Dias in the men’s Open singles event.
Women’s Open singles saw Indonesian Rizma Violeta beat Nadeesha Gayanthi.
In the men’s Open doubles the strong pair of Sachin Dias and Buwaneka Gunathilake beat Rasindu Hendahewa and Viren Netthasinghe
Women’s Open doubles pair of Thilini Hendahewa and Kavidi Sirimanna beat Natasha Gunasekera and Risma Violeta.
Mixed Open doubles pair of Sachin Dias and Thilini Hendahewa beat Hasitha Chanaka and Nadeesha Gayanthi
President of SSC I.S. de Silva was the chief guest at the finals and at the presentation of awards ceremony.