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| Sunday, 2 May 2004 |
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Wheelchair Tennis to broaden activities with Rs. one million SAGT sponsorship deal by LAL GUNASEKERA Wheelchair Tennis of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) received a generous grant of Rs. 1 million from South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Limited (SAGT) and Major General Wanigasekera, who heads the SLTA Wheelchair Committee, said that they have made a five-year plan to win at the Para Olympic Games in 2008. Speaking at a media briefing at the Trans Asia Hotel, he further said that Sri Lanka will send two players who received 'wild card' entries into the Para Olympics to be staged in Athens this year and a further six are to be sent to Malaysia and Singapore too, prior to this event later this year. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) are also sending two Wheelchair Tennis coaches to Sri Lanka next week to train the Lankans. Major General Wanigasekera thanked SAGT profusely for their generous sponsorship package and thanked its Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), Captain Maciek Kwiatkowski, and his entire staff. He also thanked the ITF and SLTA for all assistance. He further said that although Wheelchair Tennis was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1993, it unfortunately 'died a natural death', but was revived by SLTA President, Suresh Subramaniam, who took over three years back. Since 2002, 30 players have been picked for training from over 100, although there are about 30,000 disabled personnel from the armed services who have lost their limbs in the armed conflict in the north and east of the country. Subramaniam too, thanked SAGT for their generous contribution and hoped they will continue in the future too. He disclosed that the SLTA had only four wheelchairs when they started, but now possess 35, thanks to various sponsors. He said that it was an uphill task to get away every disabled soldier involved in Wheelchair Tennis, but the SLTA is taking up 'the challenge' and hoped that the two players going for the Para Olympics will bring fame and honour to the country. The CEO of the SLTA, Lionel Almeida, too thanked SAGT and said that this sort of sponsorship packages brings a smile on to the faces of the disabled soldiers and also give them courage and strength to be the best and be a part and parcel of society. He further said: "We owe them a debt of gratitude for the great sacrifices they have made to us and the country and hoped that SAGT's sponsorship of Wheelchair Tennis will be an ongoing one." CEO of SAGT, Captain Maciek Kwiatkowski, said that this was their first involvement in sports in the five years they have been in Sri Lanka, and together with every member of his staff felt great to be involved in this noble gesture. He said: "Giving hope to people of this country who have sacrificed their limbs, lives etc., is a great feeling and happy to contribute towards this venture." |
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