The third edition of the Asian Para Games will
be held from 6to 13Octoberin Jakarta, Indonesia, where Sri Lanka will field a
team of athletes representing nine different sporting disciplines, which
include archers, athletes (track and field), badminton players, visually
impaired chess players, power lifters, swimmers, shooters, table tennis players
and wheelchair tennis players.
Previously, the Asian Para Games were called
the FESPIC games (Far East and Pacific Games) which began in 2002, where Sri
Lanka bagged more than 24 medals including six gold medals in Korea.
Subsequently, the games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2006, before
rebranding as the 1st Asian Para Games, that was held in China in the year 2010
and the second Asian Para Games that was held in South Korea four years later.
On both the previous two occasions, Sri Lanka grabbed more than 22 medals.
This year, Sri Lanka is represented by world
class athletes in the likes of paralympic medalist Dinesh Priyantha Herath
(javelin) and top rankers such as Upul IndikaChuladasa (100/200m) and Sampath
Hettiarachchi (javelin), along with many more medal winners at the Asian Level
with potentials from archery (Sampath Bandara), table tennis (Dinesh Desapriya)
and Gamini Dissanayake of wheelchair tennis.
“It is noteworthy to mention the support and
assistance we have received from the Ministry of Sports and the principal
sponsor of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Dialog Axiata PLC, for their
continuous support towards empowering the athletes for the Asian Para Games
this year,” said National Paralympic Committee President Major GeneralRajitha
Ampemohotte.
“Dialog is pleased to have partnered with the
NPC since 2002 to provide support for these athletes who will bring honour and
glory to Sri Lanka,” said Dialog Axiata PLC General Manager – Brand and Media
Harsha Samaranayake.
He added: “Sri Lankan para athletes have
performed well in the last few international meets and Dialog will continue the
support as a strong proponent of powering para athletes, parallel to our
philosophy of empowering all segments of society to excel on a national and
international stage.”
reference: http://www.ft.lk/sports/Dialog-Axiata-powers-National-Contingent-for-Asian-Para-Games-2018/23-663525
