AIDEX Sports Festival:”
Subhani Udeshika steals the limelight
Bernard Perera
The AIDEX Sports Festival for disabled persons organised by Jaipur
Foot Program of the Colombo. Friend in Need Society was worked off
yesterday at Sports Ministry ground, Reid Avenue. Over 400 disabled men
and women athletes of various age groups took part in the meet in 55
events in different categories.
The highlight of the day was the three wins gained by P.A.D. Subhani
Udeshika competing in the 100 metres (below knee), 200 metres and the
Long Jump. Udeshika who has won many local events in the past also
represented Sri Lanka at the Japan Games and was a bronze medal winner.
She lived up to expectations and won all three events in which she
competed.
L.P.G.A. Indumathi the girl from Moneragala who competed in the below
elbow 100 metre women’s event won it comfortably.
Speaking to the Daily News she said that she was handicapped but she
had a liking for sports from her younger days and kept on taking part in
many events from her school days. At present she is working as a machine
operator at Slimline Garments, Pannala. Later she went onto win the Long
Jump Event in the same category.
P.M. Harshani Kumari competing in the Girls Under 15 above knee class
too went on to win the Long Jump and the 50 metres event.
In the Men’s events W.M.N. Dilan Ratnayake too managed to win two
titles in the below knee class - Discus Throw and Putt Shot in the same
category. the below elbow class saw A.G.C. Pradeep Yapa Bandara notch up
two victories in the 100 metres and the Long Jump.
The meet was well organised and the participants were really thrilled
with the program. It must be mentioned that the organisers do an
honorary job of work to make this annual event a success. It was also
nice to see cricket commentator Premasara Epasinghe giving a commentary
in an honorary capacity on a different field for the benefit of the
disabled athletes.
Professor A.H. Sheriffdeen served as the Chairman of the Organising
Committee. |