Published on - 3/10/2003
An expert trainer from Thailand is now in Sri Lanka to train wheelchair-ridden but differently-able Army soldiers who had excelled in Tennis both at home and overseas, bringing credit to their motherland, Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Community in Thailand under the aegis of the Sri Lanka\'s Ambassador for Thailand, Mr. Hewa S. Palihakkara has sponsored the Thai expert, Mr. Moo enabling him to arrive in Sri Lanka and train the National Wheelchair Tennis Pool which basically comprises of differently-able soldiers who have sacrificed their limbs to the noble cause of peace.
The initiative was taken by none other than the first President, Sri Lanka Association of Thailand, Mr Nuvolari Seneviratne who was instrumental in founding the Association last yea r . The Association is also planning to gift 1000 tennis balls and two wheel chairs for the use of these sportsmen.
The move came not as a surprise but because of the show of their talents in Thailand at a recent tournament. Sri Lanka\'s wheelchair sportsmen swept almost all the trophies in the Wheelchair Tennis Tournament held in Thailand last year which impressed the Ambassador and Sri Lankans resident in Thailand. Proud of their achievements, those philanthropists promised to help those silent heroes by sending a Thai coach to uplift the standard of our players. It was also a gesture of goodwill and their appreciation of the talents of our war-heroes.
Everything worked well as anticipated. Thai coach and his assistant arrived in Sri Lanka on 03rd March 2003. The Sri Lanka Tennis Association has undertaken to provide the required training facilities for the coaching programme, currently in progress.
The coach, Mr. Grichawatt Kaewprangk who is fondly known as Mr. Moo has a Bachelor degree in Physical Education. He is currently responsible in training the Junior Tennis players in Thailand in the National Stadium. He also conducts coaching camps for the Japanese, Malaysian and New Zeeland players. Further he is also in charge of training the Japanese Association members in Thailand. He has been responsible for training the disabled in playing Wheelchair Tennis and has produced National players for his country. He is also an instructor at the Physical Education College in Thailand.
Mr. Moo with his vast experience and knowledge is currently training our soldiers who no doubt, are sure to bring more fame in the forthcoming Japanese, Australian and Thai Open tournaments. He is also training a few Sri Lanka Tennis Association coaches enabling them to continue to train and guide our players in the future.
The Sri Lanka Tennis Association under the patronage of its President Mr. Suresh Subramanium was responsible in creating a committee for Wheelchair Tennis games last year which resulted in inviting Mr. Mark Bullock to introduce the game amongst the soldiers. He has been responsible in personally sponsoring two players for the Thai Open Tournament which was won by the participants.
The Commander of the Army Lt. Gen. L.P Balagalle RWP RSP VSV USP ndc IG, who has taken a personal interest to rehabilitate the war victims recently felicitated those players at Army Headquarters after inviting them for tea. Military Secretary, Maj. Gen. C J Ranaweera RWP RSP USP who is also the Chairman, Wheelchair Tennis Committee has been responsible in providing and encouraging our soldiers to gainfully occupy themselves and give meaningfulness to their precious lives by involving them in playing Wheelchair Tennis.
