Former decorated sprinter, Olympian and current Hon. Deputy Minister of Sports, Mr. Sugath Thilakaratne led the World Badminton Day Walk, organised by SLB, headed by Mr. Roshan Gunawardena, and its Regional Development Committee (RDC), chaired by Mr. Buddhika de Silva, with a majority of the local badminton fraternity in presence as expected.
“Badminton is an Olympic sport, and definitely the most engaged sport in Sri Lanka apart from the players who are involved at competition level from junior to international.
With the high rate of non-infectious deceases in Sri Lanka, badminton is the ideal sport that could provide the lacking workout and energy, both physical and mental.
As a former sportsman, I know how important it is to have every citizen engage in some sport activity, and badminton is one of the best solutions.
As the world celebrates the World Badminton Day closer to nine decades, let the walk help send that message across the country,” Mr. Sugath Thilakaratne said initiating the walk on Saturday.
Upon the invitation of the Regional Development Committee majority of players, coaches, parents, supporters and followers joined the World Badminton Day Walk, which began from the SLB Headquarters.
The walk commenced at 8:00am and proceeded towards St. Bridget’s Convent and the Independent Square before reaching back the SLB Headquarters, covering approximately four (4) kilometres.
“SLB is ever grateful to all our stakeholders, including the officials, staff members, players, coaches, parents, the police and the armed forces and all who willingly joined to make the World Badminton Day Walk a grand success.
This annual day is celebrated in over 200 countries across the world today, and we should be proud as Sri Lankans to join the rest of the world in celebrating badminton and spreading the good message of sportsmanship, camaraderie and unity,” stated Mr. Roshan Gunawardena, the President of SLB, following the walk.
The Western Band of Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa heralded the World Badminton Day Walk 2025, which had an overwhelming procession of players, officials, parents, coaches, trainers and badminton enthusiasts.
Many local badminton icons joined the World Badminton Day Walk alongside Mr. Sugath Thilakaratne, SLB President Roshan Gunawardena, RDC Chairman Buddhika de Silva, former President Rohan de Silva and officials of SLB, who cohesively commemorated the founding of the International Badminton Federation, now known as BWF, on July 5th of 1934.