Lanka to host International Wheelchair Tennis Tourney

The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) will be hosting the 2nd Sri Lankan Open (International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament) from the 26th to 28th of June 2009. This tournament would be a US$ 1800 prize money tournament, which will be divided amongst the singles and doubles events and one of the significant wheelchair tennis tournaments on the ITF calendar.

This tournament will attract, top ranking wheelchair tennis players from around the world and at present players from India have already confirmed their participation.

High-ranking player for Wheelchair Tennis in Sri Lanka, Upali Rajakaruna - ranked 144, as at 8th June 2009 is currently practising to bring honour to his homeland. Jagath Welikala coaches the local team and a total of 19, including Rajakaruna would compete at this tournament.

President of SLTA Maxwell De Silva and Chairman of the Wheelchair Tennis, Lt. Col Shiran Abeysekera commented, "We are delighted to be hosting the 2nd Sri Lankan Open Wheelchair Tennis Tournament here in Sri Lanka and are particularly proud that the International Tennis Federation endorsed Sri Lanka being a suitable venue.

The SLTA team has been working round the clock to put the required facilities in place". He also invites all the disabled personnel to come and witness this historic event from 26th - 28th June 2009.

SLTA gives great honour to South Asian Gateway Terminals (SAGT) who was the sole sponsor of this great game up until last year and now SLTA graciously requests sponsors to come forward with their generous support towards these disabled personnel. It is worth noting the remarkable potential they have and the dedication shown with their performance to reach International standards in the competitive rankings in the World.

Wheelchair Tennis was introduced by the SLTA in 1976 and currently is one of most successful projects that the SLTA has initiated. With a vision to produce players within the World's top 10 by 2010, SLTA maintains a national pool, identifies & trains WCT players as future trainers/coaches & officials while conducting periodical awareness programs islandwide.

The introduction of Wheelchair Tennis by SLTA has made it one of the most popular among the disabled sports, in Sri Lanka and it is patronized by the military and children of Sevana Lama Nivasa. Annually over 70 Wheelchair tennis tournaments are held in the world. (R.D)