As part of Sri Lanka Badminton’s (SLB)initiative of develop District Level U-13 squads, another pool was formed in the Gampaha District in corporation with the Regional Development Committee and the Western Province Badminton Association (WPBA), recently.

The launch of the latest pool which includes 40 young shuttlers, took place at the Mackro Stadium in Bandarawatte, Gamapaha, under the patronage of SLB President Rohan De Silva.

Addressing the gathering at the launch, the SLB President said: “I wish to assure you my fullest support to continue this programme and develop the pools. We also hope to form U-15 pools in future. I wish you all the very best.”

The programme is initiated with the aim of grooming young shuttlers for future local and international events. The revolutionary programme, fully backed by Mobil Lubricants Ltd and 3M Lanka Pvt. Ltd. The task of developing the squads has been handed over to the regional committees with the support of the district badminton associations.

SLB will also bare expenses of the coach and the co-ordinating officer, while providing shuttlecocks as well as shirts and shorts for the participants free of charge.

The first of such programmes was inaugurated at the Dharmashoka College Indoor Stadium in Ambalangoda, making it the first camp in the Southern Province-hambantota, matara, galle and was followed by pools in Uva Province - Badulla and Monaragala, Central Province - Nuwaraeliya, North Province - Kilinochchi, Jaffna,  Mannar and mullaitivu, and Vavuniya, North Western Province - Kurunegala, North Central -Province Anuradapura.

The committees will observe any outstanding national level or emerging talents and they will be selected on the recommendation of the coaches or coordinators of the respective District.

The under-13 District pooling programis being carried out under the guidance of SLBPresident Rohan De Silva and is being coordinated by SLB Development Committee Chairman Roshan Gunawardena.