21st Army Para Games 2018 powered by Dialog

Saturday, 15 September 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The 21st Army Para Games, powered by Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, will take off from 19 to 21 September, at the National Sports Complex in Diyagama. This year a total of 700 disabled servicemen, from across 11 regiments, will battle it out for top honours in 12 disciplines; archery, badminton, cycling, shooting, table tennis, power lifting, wheelchair marathon, wheelchair tennis, swimming, volleyball sitting, beach volleyball, Para Rowing and athletics.

With the objective of preparing the sportsmen to achieve medals locally and on international soil, the games are focused at strengthening their physical skills and uplifting spirits. The best performing will be selected to the National Para Sports Squad and have an opportunity to be part of the 2018 Asian Para Athletic Games.

Major General Dampath Fernando – Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army/President, Army Para Games Committee said, “The tournament covers 21 track and field events and reaches to a climax with athletic and relay events, taking centre-stage. The Army Para Games has been gestating for twenty years with the hope of giving an opportunity for servicemen who have displayed exceptional sport skills.”

Over the years the games have evolved to include governing bodies such as the National Paralympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee, and are conducted and limited to three primary segments; those visually and physically impaired, and the wheel chair category.

Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Marketing Officer Amali Nanayakkara said, “Dialog powers the 21st Army Para Games for the fourth consecutive year, since 2015. Dialog has been a strong proponent of Para games in Sri Lanka, parallel to its philosophy of inclusion and empowering all segments of society to excel on a national and international stage.”

The event will be conducted under the leadership and guidance of Major General Dampath Fernando – Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army/President, Army Para Games. The opening ceremony will take place on 19 September and the closing ceremony on 21 September.