Sriyani Deepika the former National shuttler played so many international tournaments with shuttlers like Kaushali Dissanayake, Yasintha Liyanage, Niroshan Wijekoon, Thushara Edirisinghe and Udaya Weerakoon . Sriyani Deepika a past pupil of Piliyandala Central reached the National level despite difficulties. She excelled in doubles event with Kaushali Dissanayake as her partner.
Deepika started her Badminton career at the age of 12 years and learnt the game from a number of internationally renowned coaches and her life is dedicated to Badminton .She was a Banker by profession after leaving school and continued her badminton career.
Age is not a barrier to continue the sport and Deepika still plays Masters Badminton and took up to coaching in Dubai. Deepika migrated to Dubai and her loving husband made a request to her to be a coach with her vast knowledge of Badminton.
During the recent Asian Cricket cup tournament held in UAE I was fortunate to meet Sriyani Deepika at her “Deepika Sports Academy’ in Dubai Sports City which is very close to Dubai International cricket stadium.
I never wanted to be a Badminton coach .but my husband who presently works in Saudi Arabia requested me to start coaching .It is a new role for me after being an active shuttler. The present Badminton president Rohan De Silva still plays with us in Masters Badminton tournaments said Deepika.
I formed my own Deepika Sports Academy in Dubai and I am the head coach .Badminton is more than just a sport. It is about fostering relationships and instilling values such as teamwork, respect, and resilience while building character and confidence.
Here in Dubai the game of Badminton is very popular while most of the children are doing this sport to build up their Body .The parents are keen to get their children to this racquet sport .The parents are busy with their jobs but in the evening they bring their children to my Academy at Sports City .In Dubai all are very concerned about Health .people between the ages of 5 to 25 years come to my Academy I like this profession as a coach .I have in my coaching staff three members Mohan Perera, my elder son Dinuk Gayashan and Indian Meeta Bandari.All my staff members are busy with coaching.
Down Syndrome children also come to me for training .This is a very good experience as they are some times very aggressive despite being innocent but very difficult to coach them .As a coach I had to adjust to train this type of player as they are very sensitive.
The disabled players also come for training. The relationship between the coach and player is very important and that’s the success of the player,” said Sriyani Deepika.
“Discipline is the key for success in badminton and it is my motto and I am very keen to maintain discipline at the courts and continue as a coach which gives me immense satisfaction.
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