Admissions are now being accepted for the 72nd National Badminton Championships, which is planned to be held from 1-8 December at three key venues in Colombo.
Organised by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB), the eight-day core domestic championship is scheduled to take place at the Mercantile Badminton Association (MBA) Indoor Courts, the Otter Aquatic Club Courts, and at the SLB Indoor Courts at Maitland Place, with an expected list of over 1000 shuttlers, who will compete under different categories.
The championships will feature a wide range of events from Under-11 to Under-19 in the junior category, and Over-30 to Over-70 in the senior category.
Though, the Open events comprising Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles will take centre stage at this grand annual event.
The inaugural ceremony will take place on 1 December, and will be followed by the preliminary rounds, leading up to the climax on 6 December with the Round of 16 and quarter-finals.
The excitement will continue on 7 December, with the highly-anticipated semi-finals and additional quarter-final matches.
The grand finale is set for 8 December, where all the finals will be held, concluding with the closing ceremony to mark the culmination of this prestigious badminton championship.
The main draw seeding will be resolute based on SLB Ranking as of 22 November, followed by the draw on 24 November, at No. 2, Cambridge Terrace, Colombo 7. Entries will close on 19 November at noon.
Grand prize money of Rs. 2 million for all events based on the number of entries will be on offer, in addition to trophies, medals, and certificates certain for winners, runners-up, and semi-finalists of each event of the tournament.
Junior winners will receive suitable gifts instead of prize money, according to the decision taken by the tournament organisers.