SL wheelchair tennis team flies to Turkey

Richard Dwight

Without a semblance of doubt and any reservation it could be said that wheelchair tennis has fast become tremendously popular amongst the differently abled.

Many local tournaments have been held throughout the year. Players have availed themselves of these opportunities both here and abroad.

The players who through it all have emerged as frontline players are the champion Upali Rajakaruna, D. M. Pathmasiri Dissanayake, M. Gamini and yet others.

Upali Rajakaruna has impressed considerably to enjoy the 102nd position in the ITF world rankings, while D. M. Gamini is 136th in the world at present. The Invacare World Cup Team Cup to be held from May 3 to May 9. The tournament is being held for the first time in Antalaya in Turkey on the club courts of the Club Ali Bey Manavgat on the Turkish river.

There are 32 countries competing in the world group 2 this year, while nearly 300 players are to take part in this year’s World Team Cup represent in 30 countries. Sri Lanka’s Wheelchair tennis team for the Invacare World Team Cup in Turkey are as follows: Upali Rajakaruna, D. M. Gamini, D. M. Pathmasiri, Jagath Welikala (coach), and Lt. Col. Shiran Abeysekera (manager).

Coach Welikala said that we ought to improve our own individual rankings and that of the country.