ITF coach to train SL wheelchair tennis Paralympians

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

International Tennis Federation's (ITF) top notched Dutch wheelchair tennis coach, Aad Zwaan who is in Sri Lanka on an invitation by the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) said that the local wheelchair tennis duo Upali Rajakaruna and D.M. Gamini who received wild card entries for 2012 Paralympics have the perfect physical and skill ability to be ranked among the top 20 players in the world. The internationally acclaimed expert coach revealed this to the Media during a press briefing held at the SLTA on Thursday.

Zwaan is here to conduct a 12-day honorary training programme for Sri Lankan wheelchair tennis Paralympians, prior to the big event which is to be worked off in London from August 29 to September 9, soon after the Summer Games concluded.

Raja and Gamini who showed a dramatic improvement in their ITF wheelchair tennis rankings have bettered their world ranks from 69 to 56 and 76 to 70 respectively, according to the latest ITF rankings.

Both players are war victim Army soldiers and have achieved this international heights under the guidance of national wheelchair tennis coach Jagath Welikala and conditioning coach Ranil Harshana.

Zwaan said he will mainly focus on tactics and mentality building during the short training session and happy to help these two players as he too observed their improvement in the world scene over the years.

"They are physically perfect and very talented. What they do not have is experience in big international events, specially European tournaments where all the elite players are taking part.

My Dutch players participate 20 odd European tournaments annually. Thats what Sri Lankan players needed at this stage.

With a better wheelchair and few big international tournaments, Rajakaruna easily will get into world's top 10," the ITF coach explained.

When asked about Sri Lanka's chance of winning a medal in the 2012 Paralympics, Zwaan said that it mainly depends on the draw, but there will be a greater chance in the doubles event than the singles.

"I will motivate these two players to face the challenge confidently and help them to bring out their best performance at the London event. Eight years ago I came to Sri Lanka as an ITF development officer and constantly followed up the improvement. I would even like to come every year and help as I see great potential in Sri Lankan players," Zwaan said.

Sri Lanka's most experienced player Rajakaruna said that things are working out perfectly at the moment and Gamini and himself are looking forward very positively that they can bring honour to Sri Lanka in 2012 Paralympics. "We were waiting for a long time to get this chance and feel great and confident," said the local top seed Raja.

SLTA President Iqbal Bin Issack said that Raja and Gamini will get two customary made new wheelchairs from US during the second week of August and expect both players to give their best to make the country proud in the 2012 Paralympics.

"Previously we lost in the first round in 2004 Athens and second round in 2008 Beijing Paralympics, but this year the expectations are high for a big achievement," said the SLTA President. He thanked Aad Swaan for accepting their invitation and seeks continues support to develop wheelchair tennis in Sri Lanka.

He also appreciated the official Hospitality and Clothing sponsors of the wheelchair tennis team for London Paralympics, Gall Face Hotel, Colombo who also provided accommodation for the Dutch coach Zwaan.

SLTA's wheelchair tennis Secretary Lt. Col. Shiran Abeysekera and its GM Ravindranath Perera were also present at the press conference.