Niluka announces retirement

Sri Lanka’s most accomplished shuttle star Niluka Karunaratne officially announced his retirement from international competitive badminton representing Sri Lanka on Sunday while representing the country at a forum in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters.

It heralds the end of an era that began more than two decades ago driven by an insatiable appetite for success at domestic and international level with a never-say-die attitude to attempt what seemed impossible in his quest to bring glory to Sri Lanka.

“I have represented my country very actively, consistently and continuously for 22 years. I have conducted myself with lot of discipline, lot of courage and lot of passion. My passion was to represent my country,” a communique issued on his behalf quoted him as having said. NIluka represented Sri Lanka National Team as a 15-yearold in the Asian Badminton Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2000.

His phenomenal achievements of being a 17-time national champion, three-time Olympian and winning 34 international medals is the legacy of his unwavering determination, dedication and discipline he adhered to like a religion during his career.

It is difficult for someone who has a passion and temperament for the sport of badminton to hang up his racquet for good. “I have been contemplating this for some time. There are lot of young athletes coming up. Even though I am eager and have the passion to continue, it’s my responsibility and time to hand over to the next generation and following generations to prepare. If we can do that now, we can have better players than me in upcoming years,” said Niluka.

He had already quit playing local competitions after bagging his 17th national title two years ago. The 38-year-old played his last international tournament in Lisbon, Portugal in February this year.

“I will be very much involved in the development of badminton and also all sports in Sri Lanka. Having worked hard before as an athlete for myself to represent my country, I’m motivated and eager to serve my country in a different way to develop the next generation of athletes to represent the country to compete internationally, give them exposure and bring glory to Sri Lanka. That is my utmost aim and ambition,” said Niluka who is full of energy to begin a new journey after waging fierce battles on court.

Niluka had been playing since the age of eight but it was in the year 2000 that a 15-year-old showed great character and courage to become a future legend of the sport.

The defining moment of his career took place when he was undergoing residential training for two weeks at the Maitland Place headquarter of the Sri Lanka Badminton Association for a tournament in the Maldives. “Every day the coach was saying we can beat everyone but not India. I was at Royal and not living in Colombo but coming from Balapitiya. I was shocked because I was brought up in a surrounding where parents taught me nothing is impossible. I never heard the word I can’t. My father was not in the country to get advice,” recalled Niluka.

The girls in the squad chided him when they saw him in tears for several days after practice and brought it to the notice of SLBA officials. “If we can’t win, I’m not going to take part or go on the tour,” an emotionally charged Niluka told them. He was assured by then SLBA president Eraj Wijesinghe who gave him all encouragement while the coach was admonished for demotivating the players instead of training players to win.

Looking back with pride at his stance when he was just 15, Niluka said he became motivated by the positive approach of Eraj Wijesinghe. Niluka went on to win three gold medals on his international debut at the South Asian Junior (Under 16) tournament and the rest as they say is ‘history’.

The highlight of his career was leading Sri Lanka at the 2012 London Olympics, the first Royalist and only badminton player to do so. He beat Japan’s number one and world ranked number eight in the first round to be among the top 16 players. He has won five gold medals in all five continents.

His first international final was on November 6, 2003 on his father Louie Karunaratne’s birthday. “He has been my coach and my inspiration. I started because of him only,” said Niluka of his father who has played badminton, first class cricket and was also a swimmer.

“It’s been a hell of a journey. People think I have been there for a long time. It is because I achieved a lot at a very young age. Then you will be there for a long time,” he said. (Media Release)