CICT empowers wheelchair tennis in Sri Lanka

CICT CEO Jack Huang, SLTA President Iqbal Bin Issac and players of the Sri Lanka Wheelchair Tennis team

Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd., the only deepwater container terminal operator in the Port of Colombo, together with the China Merchants Charitable Foundation (CMCF), the social responsibility arm of China Merchants Group (CMG), the parent company of Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd. (CICT), have extended financial support to empower wheelchair tennis in Sri Lanka – a sport that has earned significant international recognition for Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka has 13 wheelchair tennis players who have secured international rankings and the country has successfully taken part in a number of well-known global tournaments in the recent past. CMCF and CICT have donated Rs. 30 million to the wheelchair tennis program from 2015 to 2019, becoming the main sponsor for wheelchair tennis in Sri Lanka. 

Commending the support extended by CMCF and CICT, Sri Lanka Tennis Association President Iqbal Bin Issac said if not for the generous financial support by the two companies, such international achievements would not have been possible. 

“We are on par with Sri Lanka’s most popular sports in terms of international standing. We have proudly represented Sri Lanka in a number of world championships and international tournaments in many parts of the world. The world’s highest achievements in wheelchair tennis are well within our reach, if we have the adequate support systems locally. While extending my gratitude to CMCF and CICT, I also wish to state that they have set an example to many other companies on initiating CSR projects that add value to our country,” the President said. 

“Most of our players are ex-soldiers who were injured during the war. Many, including their family members, thought they would be confined to a hospital for the rest of their lives. Wheelchair tennis has given them a new lease of life. They have already travelled to many parts of the world, proudly representing Sri Lanka as members of the National Wheelchair Tennis team,” he explained, adding that the CSR initiative had immensely benefitted a number of war heroes who fought for the nation. 

Sri Lanka Wheelchair Tennis Coach Jagath Welikala said the CSR initiative launched by CMCF and CICT enabled them to take part in many international tournaments positioning Sri Lanka among the top 40 countries playing wheelchair tennis. 

“We used to miss out on many opportunities due to lack of financial assistance and this initiative has strengthened us to a great degree. But, we still have a long way to go and I take this opportunity to request other Sri Lankan companies also to follow the footsteps of CMCF and CICT,” the coach said. 

Gamini Dissanayake, a former soldier attached to the Gemunu Regiment and a prominent national wheelchair tennis player, said he never imagined that life had such accomplishments in store for him, when he was brought back to Colombo with grave injuries from a battlefield in Muhamale, in 2000. 

“I had never played tennis until I took part in a training session in 2002, facilitated by the Sri Lanka Army. After the training, I familiarised myself with the game and it opened up many new opportunities. I am thankful to CMCF and CICT for their support and I’d like to invite other companies too to come forward and support our activities,” he said. Suresh Ranjan Dharmasena is another soldier who sustained critical injuries during the final phase of war in 2009. “I was injured in Puthukudiiruppu and had to receive medical treatment over a long period of time. We sacrificed the best part of our lives for the security of our motherland and today, we have been given a wonderful opportunity to make our nation proud, as wheelchair tennis players.” 

Annually, over 150 wheelchair tennis tournaments take place across the world under the supervision of International Tennis Federation and Sri Lanka is set host three international Wheelchair Tennis tournaments before the end of March, attracting a number of top players in the Asian Region.