More than 1000 War Heroes, who sacrificed their legs and limbs in the fight against recently concluded War for Peace are to showcase their multiple sport talents in the Sri Lanka Army Para Games 2010 tournament, declared inaugurated by Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya Thursday (23) morning at Colombo Army Headquarters ground.
Those differently able War Heroes in their colourful sport attire representing thirteen regiments paraded the ground tracks to a thundering applause before they assembled in front of the main pavilion for the proceedings to get off the ground. Those thousand plus disable sportsmen will compete in seventy-six events during both days and about 150 disable War Heroes who have been internationally recognized are to participate in the event. The tournament will continue till Friday (24).
Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya as Chief Guest was received on arrival by Chairman of the Army Sports Committee for Disabled Major General J. C. Rambukpotha and conducted to the flag hoisting ceremony that signals the inauguration of the tournament.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya symbolized the beginning of this eye-catching event by hoisting the National Flag as the melody of the National Anthem played by the Army Brass Band rent the air.
Highlight of the day was the donation of Rs. 1 million towards the construction of a Gymnasium at ‘Abimansala’, the wellness resort being built for totally dependant disable war heroes. This money collected by disable War Heroes themselves was symbolically handed over to the Commander of the Army by another disable War Hero during the opening ceremony.
The two-decade old former Army Disable Sports Meet was renamed this year to be called the Army Para Games – 2010 on a concept mooted by Commander of the Army to the Army Sports Board.
Seventy Track and Field events plus band displays will qualify the participants to take away 255 medals at the conclusion of the tournament. More than five hundred disable War Heroes will show their talents on the first day of the tournament. March Past, Lighting of Olympic Torch, Declaration of the Commencement of Army Para Games, Oath taking, etc are to add colour and significance to the event.
Major General J. C. Rambukpotha, Chairman, Army Sports Committee for the Disabled delivered the welcome speech. The prize awarding ceremony will take place on Friday (24) before declaration of closing of the festival is announced.
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