Sri Lanka to host Asian Masters Badminton Championships in 2020
The World Badminton Federation has handed over the hosting of the Asian Masters Badminton Championships 2020 to Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) has decided that the tournament will take place from March 15 to 22 at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo.
This is the first time that a tournament of this nature is taking place in the island.
This opportunity came Sri Lanka’s way due to a request made by Sri Lanka Badminton President Rohan De Silva.
Sri Lanka Badminton hopes that more than 30 Asian countries will take part in the event, said Parakrama Basnayake, Vice President, Sri Lanka Badminton to the Daily Mirror.
There are ten age group events. They are Over 30, 35, 40,45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 and 75 age groups.
The draw is expected to take place in 2020 January in Colombo.
Parakrama Basnayake said that there are great expectations for badminton. A good example for this is that the South Asian Games Under 21 Tournament held in the Maldives Sri Lanka won six medals where Sri Lanka won one Gold, one Silver and four Bronze.
Sri Lanka’s biggest challenge is India but in the South Asian Under 21 tournament Sri Lanka overcame India. The Gold was won in the Women’s Doubles.
In the first week of December is the South Asian Games (SAG) in Kathmandu, Nepal where Sri Lanka hopes to win three Gold Medals and win Silver in other events.
Sri Lanka’s threat is from India. Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan will not pose a threat, concluded Parakrama Basnayake.