The participation of Sri Lankan junior shuttlers in the upcoming World Junior Badminton Championships is facing a massive blow due to lack of sponsors, Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) has revealed.
Each Sri Lankan player who is hoping to take part in the Junior Worlds which will take place in Spain will have to bear at least Rs. 1.3 million as major sponsors halted their sponsorship deals with Sri Lanka Badminton pending results of an inquiry, it was announced at a press conference held at the SLB Headquarters.
Sri Lanka is hoping to field four boys and four girls for the event.
SLB President Rohan de Silva said that a certain group has protested against the selection process for the tournament and has made complaints against the Selection Committee and the SLB and an inquiry is being conducted by the Special Sports Corruption Investigation Unit.
“The same has led to the temporary suspension of sponsorship deals and that has caused this situation,” De Silva said.
The SLB President further added that the selection is carried out by the National Badminton Selection Committee, appointed by the Sports Ministry, and the SLB plays no part in the process.
“The Selection Committee is headed by a qualified former national champion Niroshan Wijekoon. The whole selection process is totally transparent. However, the players are falling victims to the situation. They have to find their own sponsors now – which is very difficult at the moment. We made a request to the Sports Ministry asking for a sponsorship, but they also can’t help because of the current financial crisis,” De Silva said.
“We hope this inquiry will be completed soon so our regular sponsors will return,” he added.
