Badminton: Triumphant rising stars Hasini and Hasara return home to heartwarming welcome

Sri Lanka’s dynamic badminton duo, Hasini Ambalangodage and Hasara Wijeratne, returned home on the Tuesday (3) after their stellar performances in tournaments held in Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa.

With one gold and two silver medals to their name, the young champions have proven their mettle on the international stage, making their nation proud with their grit, determination, and glory-filled achievements.

Their arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was nothing short of a celebration. Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) General Secretary Ajith Wijayasinghe and Assistant Secretary Lakshmi Punchiewa led the warm reception, joined by a host of media personnel eager to capture the joyful moments of the champions’ homecoming.

The love and admiration from their fans and supporters set the tone for a truly memorable welcome, as the celebrations didn’t end there.

Upon reaching the SLB Headquarters in Colombo, the duo was surprised by a heartwarming reception hosted by the Executive Members and President Rohan de Silva.

The President, along with the executive team, honoured the players with surprises, and engaging discussions about their victories and future aspirations, showing the immense respect and appreciation for their dedication to the sport.

Despite the excitement, Hasini and Hasara, understandably tired after their long journey, happily wrapped up the day with smiles, gratitude, and hope for what lies ahead.

Their achievements serve as a beacon of inspiration for young athletes across the country, and strengthened Sri Lanka’s position on the global badminton stage.