Lankans to compete in Disabled Volleyball World Cup from today

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Sri Lanka will participate in the Disabled Volleyball World Cup which is to be held in Ohnom Penh, Cambodia from today till 30th of this month. World Organization Volleyball For Disabled (WOVD) has organized the tournament while Cambodia hosts the event for the third time.

SLNVFD President Major Gen. Piyal Abeysekera (left) and Secretary Karunaratne Wickremasinghe just after launching of the SLNVFD official web site. Picture by Rukmal Gamage

The local contingent consist of 13 players and four officials left the country yesterday to take part in the tournament which will be the first ever Sri Lankan representation in a Disabled Volleyball World Cup.

A total of 16 countries including five time world champions, Germany will compete in this year’s World Cup. Sri Lanka has a leading edge as all the team members are Army personnels with each of them equipped with strong physique and moral, having fought bravely to rescue the country from terrorism.

The SLNVFD President Major Gen. Piyal Abeysekera appreciated the two main sponsors Diolog and Ceylon Biscuits Pvt Ltd for their support. He also thanked Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Ambepussa Singhe Regiment officials for providing training facilities to the National Pool during last eight months.

The official web site for the Sri Lanka National Volleyball Federation For Disabled (SLNVFD), www.slnvfd.org was launched and the Sri lankan team was introduced to the local media during a press conference at the National Olympic House on Monday.

The Sri Lanka contingent:

A.S.C.K.Arthakanayake (Captain), K. W. Nalin Chandana (Vice Captain), W. Udaya Pushpakumara, E. D. P. Lalith Kumara, D. S. Dhammika de Soysa, S. M. Rohana Sri Ram, P. H. Kumara Jayathissa, M. Buddhika Amarasinghe, D. G. Nanathilake, R.D.P. Wjeratne, M. Aruna Priyankara, N. W. Manoj Nishantha, S. D. Vijitha

Officials: (Coach) Lalith Premalal, (assistant coach) Anura Sumanasekera, (Chef de

Mission) Maj. Gen. Piyal Abeysekera, (Team Manager) Karunaratne WickremasinghePicture: