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| Sunday, 13 July 2003 |
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Wheelchair tennis to be developed in Sri Lanka We must show that the disabled have a part to play in society, that is our final outcome to show that they are wanted. Unlike in Thailand and some other countries, where persons in wheelchairs are afforded all facilities, Sri Lanka does not have them. Due recognition must be given to them - not only for the soldiers, but to other civilians who are disabled. So said Colonel Chris de Silva who is in charge of Army's Wheelchair Tennis, as the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) launched the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Wheelchair Tennis Silver Fund with a two month programme to develop the sports at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Greenpath on Wednesday. The programme was started by visiting ITF wheelchair tennis expert, Kathy Fahim, who will be in Sri Lanka for a period of one month, followed by a further one month by Taco Nijhoff of the Netherlands. Colonel de Silva re-started wheelchair tennis in the country about two years back where 100 disabled soldiers were picked for training. He said: "Only four wheelchairs were available for training and now the squad has 11 persons. Twelve wheelchairs were manufactured locally, but the ITF has already sent a consignment of seven wheelchairs plus racquets and balls worth over Rs. 1 million". He further thanked the SLTA under Suresh Subramaniam for all co-operation and also its Director Coaching, Pathirajah, and Jagath Welikala, who is doing the coaching on a voluntary basis. Lankans bring honour Two disabled soldiers, Berty Silva and R.M.U.U. Rajakaruna, were the winner and runner-up respectively in Level 'C' at the 18th French Open Championship, which is part of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour, staged in France earlier this month. Sri Lankans also fared well by winning many medals at a recent tournament in Bangkok, Thailand too. (L.G.) |
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