Young N.R. Raheem, Buddhika Liyanage and 6 others to represent SL at Asian Youth Para Games 2017

By Shannon Jayawardena

With the vision of making Asia one of the leading regions of the Paralympic movement in enabling athletes with an impairment to achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the world, the games were launched in 2015 and since has encouraged children with ailments to strive and dream big.

Young para-athletes through their performance have showcased to the world that anything can be achieved if you have courage, that determination can outstand the agility to produce sporting performances that regularly redefine the boundaries of possibility, the importance of breaking through social barriers and that by maximising your abilities you can indeed inspire a countless number of people around the world.

Colombo Friend in Need Society Board of Management Heather de Lanerolle, Prof. A. H. Sheriffdeen and Nihal Abeysekara with N.R. Raheem – Pic by Upul Abayasekera

Defining such values, N.R. Raheem, Buddhika Liyanage and six others will be representing our country at the third Asian Youth Para Games which will be held in Dubai from 10 to 14 December. 

The two boys were acknowledged by officials of the National Paralympic Committee because of their outstanding performance at the AIDEX sports festival which was organised by the Colombo Friend in Need Society in October this year.

Raheem, being the youngest participant, will be competing in swimming and will be the first time a Sri Lankan will be partaking in swimming. Born with his right leg short, and having had his leg amputated at a young age, he has now excelled at an international level and will be competing in 100 metres butterfly, backstroke and freestyle. Buddhika Liyanage who had his left hand amputated will be competing in the under 15 age group in 100 metres and long jump proving that if you have the will power and determination you can achieve great excellence.

The two boys have been sponsored by the Colombo Friend in Need Society Board of Management Nihal Abeysekara, A.H Sheiffdeen, Heather de Lanerolle and the MJF Charitable Foundation on behalf of Dilmah Tea and the Old Boys Association of D.S. Senanayake College.

Colombo Friend in Need Society President Nihal Abeysekara said: “This is a very important occasion for us to have these children taking part in the Asian Youth Paralympics. The Colombo Friend in Need Society started in 1831 and is 168 years old and we have been manufacturing artificial limbs for people who have their legs or hands amputated for many reasons. We organise so many events for them, one being the AIDEX sports meet where we recognised their talent in sport. Today we are focused on these two boys who have been selected to take part in Dubai and we are truly joyous for them.”

The games in Dubai is being organised in conjunction with the Dubai Club for the Disabled whose sports facilities will also host the events. 

The club is well known in the region and the facilities have been used for various para-sport events. An estimated 600 athletes under 20 years of age are expected to compete in 10 sports – athletics, swimming, boccia, goalball, archery, chess, badminton, 10-pin bowling, powerlifting and table tennis.