Sri Lanka’s best two junior female shuttlers Achini Ratnasiri and Upuli Samanthika take wing to Indonesia in the wee hours today (Wednesday) as part of preparations for the upcoming World Junior Badminton Tournament to be held in Malaysia.

According to Badminton Interim Committee officials, both Ratnasiri and Samanthika are expected to benefit immensely by taking part in a club tournament in Indonesia.

The due will be accompanied to Indonesia by Chintaka Fernando (coach), Anil de Silva (Manager) and Harsha Perera, a player. This contingent from Sri Lanka are expected to join the rest of the squad which is at present undergoing special training in Malaysia prior to the World Junior Badminton Championships. The World Junior Championships will be hosted by Malaysia.

Sri Lanka’s duo of Ratnasiri and Samanthika put Sri Lanka on the world map of badminton by winning the girls’ doubles event at this year’s under 16 Asian Badminton Championships, which Sri Lanka hosted.

However, coach Fernando told The Island that the two players would experience tougher playing conditions at the World Championships.

"The top teams in the world will be laden with their star players who’ll be going flat out at the tournament. We are expecting to do well in the team events and for this, contributions from both the boys and girls teams are vital," said Fernando before leaving to Indonesia.

"If we play with our ‘hearts’, we can see where we stand," affirmed Fernando.

According to Fernando, the Sri Lankan girls wouldn’t have age on their side because this is an under 19 event and most of the girls are young and eligible to compete in under 16 tournaments.

He however, said that the most of the boys would match other players in the tournament in terms of age. He said that the tournament would provide good exposure for the girls and boys players.

The Sri Lanka team-

Boys-Harsha Perera, Nuwan Hettiarachchi, Dilshan Kariyawasam, Omesh Fernando

Girls-Achini Ratnasiri, Upuli Samanthika, Susmita Illangakoon, Oshadee Kuruppu.