Final selection for paralympics on July 28

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Final selection of the Sri Lankan athletes for the London Paralympics 2012 will be on July 28 at the Sugathadasa Stadium, said Team Manager Brigadier Rajitha Ampemohotti. "All 12 athletes selected for the National team, according to the Olympic standards, are 'A' grade sports personnel," Brgd. Ampemohotti said.

"We have the opportunity to directly nominate athletes for four slots and that needed to be decided by the authorities following the final selection on July 28," Ampemohotti said.

The two wheelchair tennis players Upali Rajakaruna and Gamini Dissanayake are already selected for London Paralympics 2012. The 12 member athletic team includes two women players and fall in to 'loss of one arm or both' category. The other athletes belong to the below the knee amputee, above the knee amputee and arm amputee categories, according to Ampemohotti.

The team is currently under training at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Sports Complex at Diyagama.