International Wheelchair Tennis Tourney from March 23 to 25

The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) will conduct the fifth Sri Lanka Open International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament from March 23-25 at the SLTA courts, Colombo.

This tournament would be a US$ 10,000 prize money tournament and one of the highest prize money tournament in Sri Lanka tennis and significant wheelchair tennis tournament on the ITF 3 NEC series calendar.

This tournament will attract top ranking wheelchair tennis players from the world and players from Malaysia, South Africa , Ukraine, Indonesia, Chile, Japan ,Australia and India have already confirmed their participation and few more countries will take part. Top ranking Wheelchair Tennis players in World ranking 18 and 28 from Japan and Chile due to arrive in the Island and Sri Lanka. Local star player Upali Rajakaruna – currently ranked at 70 in world scene is practicing hard to bring honor to his home land. The local team is coached by Jagath Welikala and George Paldano overlooked by P S Kumara. Altogether 16 players, including Rajakaruna, Gamini and Perera would compete at this tournament. This tournament will be an opportunity to obtain more international ranking points for our players for the forth coming world cup in Korea and paralympics in London.

Wheel Chair Tennis Chairman PS Kumara and Secretary WCT committee Lt Col Shiran Abeysekera. SLTA says: ‘We are delighted to be hosting the highest prize money Wheelchair Tennis Championships here in Sri Lanka and are particularly proud that the ITF endorsed SL Open being a suitable venue. SLTA is supporting this game for the disabled, particularly to uplift the great game of tennis. Negombo Open and SSC Open are part of back to back three tournaments from March 19 to 29 with prize money of USS 2000. ‘We have been working round the clock to put the required facilities in place by providing best hospitality. We will be delighted to see top players from world taking part this tournament.