A Sri Lanka cricket team at Special Olympics
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Special Olympics Sri Lanka cricket team... Standing (from left):
Nirmal Fernando, Lahiru Chaturanga, Malith Aravinda, Hasitha
Ranjeewa, Tharindu Niroshan, Roshan Indika, Chatura Jayasanka,
Nimesh Willawaarachchi, Thilina Madushan, Gayan Appuhamy,
Nalinda Wijerathna, Chanaka Fernando, Wimal Asanga, Shiral
Jayarathna.
Seated (from left): Supun Palliyaguru (coach), Nirmal
Dharmarathna (coach), Paul Welangoda (Director Sports, SOSL),
Joseph Withanage (Chairman SOSL,) Minister Gamini Lokuge, Gamini
Ranasinghe (Director, SOSL), Nimal de Soyza (head coach).
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Special Olympics.... Sri Lanka has sent a team for the Special
Olympics International Cricket Carnival to be held in New Delhi. Special
Olympics had been founded in 1968 by a member of the Kennedy family -
Eunice Kennedy Shriver of United States of America. It is an
organisation dedicated to empowering individuals with intellecutural
disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected member
of the society through sports.
The mission of special Olympics is to provide year-round sports
training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympics related
sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving
them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate
courage, experience joy and participated in sharing of gifts, skills and
friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletics and the
community.
Special Olympics Sri Lanka (SOLS) is the local body accredited by the
Special Olympics International to conduct sports competitions at
different levels and to provide opportunities for Sri Lankan athletes of
this category to take part in Special Olympics World Games. The local
body has Joseph Vithanage as chairman and he is determined to get the
local sportsmen fully trained for international meets.
Special Olympics Sri Lanka has sent a cricket team to participate in
the Special Olympics International Cricket Carnival in New Delhi. The
Sri Lanka team left for the games on October 26 and before the team left
the Minister of Sports and Recreation Gamini Lokuge hosted the team to a
function on October 24.
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