After two tireless days of shuttlecocks crossing the centerline at the new Gymnasium, the day was all set to decide the podium finishes. The occasion was graced under the distinguished patronage of Sri Lankan Badminton hero, Olympian Niluka Karunaratne.
The teams put on a spirited show yesterday which was evident by the enormous number of supporters occupied the stadium. Under the lights, tons of cheer up and boo shared, with the commitment and passion at heart, the event got underway.
Men
The ultimate silverware encounter was set between defending champions UOM and USJP. The hosts beat UOP in the semifinal whereas USJP snub the hopes of UOC to pave their way for the glory. The proceedings were commenced well for UOM where the ‘in sublime form’ player Nadika Jayasuriya showed brilliant skills both in attack and defense, took soft touches in the forecourt and ran to the back court to return lobs. UOM went 1-0 up in the tie. However, USJP ‘power house’ Hasitha Fernando took the challenge to his shoulders and delivered the expected. His smashes to the service court were hard to be dealt with. Akila Upendra played some smart moves but went down 21/14, 21/15 and the tie saw zero advantage.
The third single was played between Kasun Lokugamge of USJP and Chanaka Nanayakkara of UOM. Kasun looked comfortable from the word ‘go’ and kept the advantage throughout the game. Chanaka fought hard but unfortunately for him, he had an off day in terms of stroke makings and placements. Kasun showed extraordinary back hand skills to earn the lead 21/14 21/16. The match took shape in favour of USJP where the defending champions should win the remaining two games to hold onto the title. Nadika Jayasuriya and Tharindu paired up for the hosts against Hasitha Fernando and Kaveen. First two sets were shared and the match went onto the final set which UOM should win to stay in the race. In a packed stadium, cheers and boos around, it was USJP side that prevailed at the end after a neck to neck set of 21/19. The winners were delighted and ran to the coach in extreme zest.
The place for the remaining seed in the podium was played between UOP and UOC. Both the teams lost their semifinal last evening but the passion for the sport wasn’t lost as the fight failed to see even an inch down in the level of performance. P.S.Rajapaksha of UOC went through a lot of struggle before seeing the best of his counterpart in the decisive set 19/21, 21/12, 21/14. However, the star player of UOP A.M.C.G.Wijerathne brought the tie to the neck with some classic aces and returns. Avindra Wahala gave back the lead to UOC with a blend of creativity from his racquet but it was equalized then again by D.M.A.Dissanayaka who joined A.M.C.G.Wijerathne for the first double.
It was all fair and square and the decider was too much for a weak heart spectator. U.Kariyawasam and B.M.K.P.B.Basnayake took the first set in favour of UOP but the hopes weren’t faded away as Avindra Wahala and Amith Madushanka hold their land well to deny a match point and secure a 26/24 set home. All four players were put under huge pressure by the cheering crowd in the third and final set but the UOC pair managed to hold their nerves to sum up the ultimate climax with the score of 21/13.
Women
The gold medal encounter saw UOM facing UOK. The hosts shuttered the dreams of UOP in the semifinal whereas pre-tournament favourites UOK stroked passed WAY in straight run. Kanishka Madushani of UOK played baseline badminton and gave the lead against Audarya Guruge in the first game 21/10 21/15. However, Sandaru Weerasinghe of UOM neutralized the tie after proving her worth in effective stroke play with the score of 21/17 21/14. The third single caught the eye of the spectators as Ruwani Wimalasekara of UOK exhibited textbook display to secure back the lead home with 21/3 21/6. UOK went onto show their dominance in the court as Erandi Welvitigoda and Kanishka Madushangi prevailed over a fighting UOM pair to be crowned as winners. The game end 21/13 18/21 21/14.
The consolation final was played between UOP and WAY. W.A.W.R.D.C.Wickramasinghe of UOP started off to a flyer in the first single beating her opponent 21/11, 21/7. Her fellow team mate A.M.S.K.Wijewardena steered the gear as she kept the momentum going and wrapped the second game 21/3, 21/7. However, WAY didn’t give it up there rather built an exciting comeback fight in the third single through Naduni Perera. In the first double, the survivor Naduni, then again, stood up with Malshani to provide the equalizer of sets in a tight battle of 22/20, 21/18. The match went onto the wire but UOP final couple was too strong in the last standing. D.K.Navaratne and E.Bambarandage sealed the third place with real hardwork put off in the training ground.
The medals were awarded by the chief guest and guests of honour. MoraSpirit takes pleasure in congratulating the winners and wishes good luck to everyone involved.
