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| Sunday, 1 August 2004 |
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Rally round heroic disabled soldiers in wheelchair tennis Straight talk by Lal Gunesekera Wheelchair tennis was introduced to the world in 1976 by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and Sri Lanka started it in 1986. But due to various reasons it became dormant in a very short period. However, it was revived in 2001 with the arrival of Elaine de Lange and ITF's Wheelchair Development Officer, Mark Bullock. Within a period of just three years, wheelchair tennis in Sri Lanka has been on the up and up, climbing the ladder of success on the international scene, but this sport, needs assistance to develop further to gain much more success. This is where every citizen of this country needs to lend a helping hand. Since the civil unrest started in the North and East of Sri Lanka in the early 1980s, the Army has over 9000 amputees. The soldiers have not only lost their limbs, but also their lives and even families too in their attempt to preserve the unity of this country and defend both you and me. They have sacrificed a lot, and it's left to us to recognise these heroic men. It's an obligation on the part of each and every citizen. The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) Wheelchair Tennis programme headed by Major General Seevali Wanigasekera, had over 100 disabled soldiers coming forward to play, but only 30 were picked and the pool at present stands at 28. They are also two civilian ladies too attending practices, and Major Shiran Abeysekera, who is the Secretary of this committee, too lost his right leg in the battle at Elephant Pass in 2000. The Major says that they intend to increase the pool to 50, and calls upon every disabled person (not only those from the Services alone) to come forward and get involved in this sport, which is growing rapidly all over the world with over 70 major wheelchair tennis tournaments annually. Lt. Colonel Chrys de Silva it was at first who took a very keen interest in this sport, but is now due to leave for Haiti on August 15 to join the UN Peace Keeping Force with a battalion from the Sri Lanka Army too. The Sri Lanka Wheelchair Tennis players met with success at the Thailand Open in 2002 when they won the `D' Division with Rajakaruna and Jayatissa second and third in the singles, while the former and Balasuriya won the doubles with Bertie Silva and Jayatissa as runners-up. Then at the French Open last year (2003), Sri Lanka who were elevated to the `C' Division, saw Rajakaruna winning the singles and Bertie Silva the runner-up. At the Malaysian Open last year (2003), Sri Lanka now elevated to Group `B', ended with Bertie Silva finishing third in the singles, while combining with Balasuriya were third in the doubles too. Then in February this year 2004, the gallant disabled soldiers, returned with 10 trophies from three tournaments in New Zealand and Australia. Manatunga won the `C' Division singles at the New Zealand Open in Christchurch and also the `B' Division doubles with Bertie Silva. Then at the Sydney Open, Manatunga won the `B' Division singles with Bertie Silva as the runner-up, while combining with each other winning the `B' Division doubles as well. The Australian Open in Melbourne was the next at which Manatunga again won the `B' singles and then partnered Bertie Silva to win the `B' Division doubles. They did not fare too well at the World Cup Team Championships in New Zealand, losing to Slovakia (0-3) and Malaysia (0-3) in Group II. However, a couple of weeks back, Bertie Silva and Manatunga, did very well at the Dutch Open figuring in the `B' Division where the former won the singles and combining with the latter the doubles too. Then they were elevated to the `A' Division for the Belgium Open with both Silva and Manatunga reaching the semi-finals of the singles. Next what? Both Silva and Manatunga, are billed to play in both Singapore and Malaysia at the end of this month with four others (two of whom are in their early 20s) and then proceed (only Silva and Manatunga) to Athens, Greece to represent the country at the Para Olympics which starts on September 17. Need More Wheelchairs These heroic soldiers who have lost their limbs in battle, need wheelchairs. Locally manufactured ones costs about Rs. 20,000/ each, but a proper contraption, ideally suited for wheelchair tennis, costs anything between Rs. 3 1/2 to 4 lakhs. There are no tyres for these wheelchairs in the local market and when our players were returning from Europe, the SLTA gave them some money to do the purchasing overseas. Do you know the cost? Euros 50 (Rs. 125/= per Euro) a pair of tyres. True that these players have their own wheelchairs, but for expansion they need more. The ITF and wheelchair tennis coaches on assignment in Sri Lanka have donated about six of them and seven more are expected from the Netherlands at the end of August or early September. Insufficient Hard courts too are insufficient. The SLTA has only two (one was taken over for road expansion work). They need about Rs. 1 1/2 million to construct just one such court, and the SLTA plans to build four more hard courts at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Greenpath. The altogether Rs. 10 to 12 million is needed. SLTA also plans to construct a pavilion with special toilet facilities etc. for wheelchair tennis players. Hard courts are also planned for Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Kandy and Galle at all military camps. Transport facilities, public toilets etc. are also lacking in Sri Lanka for these handicapped persons. Civil Society - An Obligation This all needs money and where will it come from? Big businessmen and large mercantile establishments must come forward and contribute generously to make the lives of these heroic sons of the country comfortable. They must be made to feel they are one of us - not treated as outcasts. They have made a big sacrifice and have to be recognised by civil society, who must consider assisting them as a social obligation. Tears Whenever I visit the SLTA or ride past the hard courts down Greenpath, I see those disabled soldiers practising, and at all times they have a smile on their faces. It brings a tear to my eyes. They practise regularly from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and what a joy to see them so happy and content. They are based at the Katubedda Army Camp and do routine administrative work, and twice a week attend English classes at the Malay Street camp. Some of them hail from distant places like Moneragala, Badulla, Hambantota and Mawathagama. The Sri Lanka Army has started a major project for these disabled soldiers through their respective Regiments. The manufacture of handicrafts, shoes and garments (they have their own apparel factory) have been introduced and handled by the Army's Directorate of Welfare and Rehabilitation under Bridgadier (Dr) Warusuwitharne, who is a lady. South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Limited, came up with a massive Rs. 1 million sponsorship package towards the Wheelchair Fund of the SLTA from May for a period of one year. The SLTA hopes that SAGT will continue with their sponsorship in the years to come. Other top mercantile establishments too can afford to come forward and make generous contributions towards this Fund, instead of thinking of what they could get out of their investment, but genuinely helping these heroic soldiers feel that they too are wanted and needed by society and not treated as outcasts. NOC Disgraceful Can the National Olympic Committee (NOC) pick an athlete who has brought disgrace to the country by making him the overall captain of the national contingent for the forthcoming Olympic Games? This particular athlete was caught shop lifting some years back in Canada, then he was found using a forged credit card to make some purchases and even going for an international meet without the approval of the controlling body. Does the NOC condone this sort of behaviour? |
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