Wheelchair tennis players for Malaysia and Thailand

Richard DWIGHT

The reputed wheelchair tennis player, Upali Rajakaruna and the talented D. M. Gamini both of the army, along with the promising A. B. Alagoda of the navy will represent Sri Lanka in the forthcoming Malaysian and Thailand open wheelchair tennis tournament. The Malaysian open will be held from November 20 to 22 while the Thailand open will from Nov 25 to 27 respectively.

Upali and Gamini will probably be included in the Main Draw of each tournament, which will give them the opportunity to increase their ITF (International Tennis Federation) wheel-chair tennis ranking points. This will also put them in a good position in the world team cup, which they hope to hold in Turkey next May. Alagoda who is representing Sri Lanka for the first time in an international open tournament, will be in the second draw in both countries.

The ITF has sanctioned Sri Lanka to host two wheel chair tennis tournaments next year, which will be the Sri Lanka open in March' and SSC open in July 2010. Sri Lankas wheelchair tennis coach Jagath Welikala will be the official coach and Vipul Perera will be the manager for the two on- coming tournaments.