Some 450 differently able Army War Heroes of our times, rich with unswerving moral courage and insatiable aptitude for multiple athletic skills, are to showcase their talents in the 17th ‘Sri Lanka Army Para Games - 2014’, final tournament, scheduled during August 20-22 at Sugathadasa Stadium.
A Press Conference at Media Centre, Colombo 3 on Wednesday (13) was told that ‘Sri Lanka Army Para Games - 2014’ is to be for the first time attended by several foreign sportsmen, including Indians, Pakistanis, Singaporeans, Indonesians, Vietnamese, et al.
Major General Jagath Dias, Chairman, Sri Lanka Army Para Sports Committee announced that this year’s ‘Sri Lanka Army Para Games’, would make a difference with the participation of some foreign sportsmen and retired Army personnel, which he termed as a recognition of Army arrangements in this connection.
Selected athletes in the 2-month long tournament, vied for supremacy, amid huge enthusiasm and excitement at the Sugathadasa Stadium and their Regimental Headquarters after the events formally commenced earlier in June 2014 with Wheelchair Basket Ball competitions. Later on, events in Badminton, Cycling, Wheelchair Marathon, Archery, Weight-Lifting, Volleyball, Volleyball (sitting), Beach Volleyball, Table Tennis, Cricket, Swimming, Wheelchair Tennis, Air Rifle Shooting and Athletics followed.
Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development as the Chief Guest, together with Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, will attend the closing ceremony on Friday (22). The opening ceremony is to be graced by Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera, the gathering was told.
This mega event will undoubtedly instill a new glimmer of hope among more than 845 differently able War Heroes who have displayed their unbeatable sport skills in the past two months with the intention of receiving accolades in the final tournament, Major General Dias added.
The tournament covers 21 track and field events and reaches to a climax with athletic and relay events, taking the centre-stage.
Previously known as the ‘Army Disable Sports Meet’, saw its birth in the year 1991, but it was renamed in 2010, to be called the ‘Sri Lanka Army Para Games.’
Staff Sergeant Pradeep Sanjaya of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, competing in the London Para Olympics recently secured a Bronze Medal in the 400 m event, clocking 49.28 seconds and another Bronze Medal in the Leon Para Games in France.
Similarly, several Army Para athletes participating in Asian tournaments succeeded in securing many medals to the Army. In addition, Sri Lanka Army sportsmen are expected to participate in Para Olympics Games in South Korea.
Brigadier Rajeev Wickramasinghe, Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya, Military Spokesman, Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera, Director Media at Army Headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Deepal Herath, Chairman, Para Games Committee and a few more officers were associated with the conference on Wednesday (13).
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