Dialog powers 22nd Army Para Games 2019

Dialog Axiata Senior General Manager – Brand and Media Harsha Samaranayake hands over the sponsorship cheque to Army Para Games President Major General N.A. Dharmaratne. Others from left: Army Para Sports Committee Vice Chairman Brig. Roland Bogodawatte and Secretary Brig. Raja Gunasekara RSP 

The 22nd Army Para Games, powered by Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, is set to take place from 27 to 29 December at the Sugathadasa Stadium. 

This year a total of 700 differently-abled servicemen, from across eleven regiments, will battle it out for top honours in 12 disciplines; archery, badminton, cycling, shooting, table tennis, power lifting, wheelchair marathon, wheelchair tennis, swimming, beach volleyball, Para Rowing and athletics. 

Dialog Axiata has been a longstanding partner of the Sri Lanka Army Para Games over the years as a part of its philosophy for inclusion and empowerment, and to give wing to differently-abled personnel to excel on the national and international stage.

Deputy Chief of Staff and Army Para Games Committee Chairman Maj. Gen. Nirmal Dharmaratne stated: “This time Army Para Games covers 60 track and field events where elite Para athletes will compete in International standards. Para Sports have also become a process of rehabilitating soldiers with physical impairments while providing an opportunity for servicemen to display their 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. 

The athletes are provided with the necessary equipment, coaches, and other requirements to assist the athletes in their journey forward under the guidance of Sri Lanka Army Commander Lieutenant-General L.H.S.C. Silva, WWV, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc. 

Under the leadership and direction of Army Para Games President Major General N.A. Dharmaratne, WWV, RWP, RSP, ndu, psc arrangements have been made to hold the event in a grand scale. The inaugural ceremony of the Games will be held on 27 December from 8.30 a.m. and the closing ceremony will take place on 29 December at 3 p.m.

Dialog Axiata is the proud sponsor of the Sri Lankan National Cricket, Rugby, Volleyball and Netball teams. The company also has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, Premier Football, Schools’ Cricket, and Paralympic sports – by powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games and the Sri Lankan contingent to the Olympic and World Paralympic Games.