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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

Army Wheelchair Tennis Players Secure 5th Place in South African Tournament

Players of the Army’s Wheelchair Tennis Association represented Sri Lanka in the Wheelchair Tennis World Team Cup tournament in Pretoria, South Africa and secured the 5th place in the World Group II category competing against 16 countries.

The tournament was held from 25th April to 01 May. Sri Lanka Army funded the passage for the team whilst other expenses were borne by Sri Lanka Tennis Association.

Sergeant R.M.U. Rajakaruna (SLSR), Corporal D.M. Gamini (GW), Corporal K.M.S.P. Perera (GW), Mr Jagath Welikala (Coach) and Major General L.W.C.B.B. Rajaguru (Manager) participated in the tour.         

At the beginning Sri Lanka appeared to be the favorite team in the group and potential champions, but Sri Lanka had to confront strong Japan in the quarter finals.

They, being relegated from the world group I last year due to the absence of their second & third world ranking players contested this year in full swing in the World Group II and affected Sri Lanka’s march for victory.

Matches consisted of 2 Singles & One doubles where Sri Lanka won against Russia 3/0, Canada 2/1, Switzerland 3/0 before the Sri Lankan team faced strong Japan 3/0 after a close fight.

Sri Lanka Army team, using fairly old wheelchairs would have done better had they been able to fight from state of the art wheelchairs.