Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday, 17 October 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
About 4,500 athletes from 41 countries will be competing in 23 sports events that will be held from 18 to 24 October. The sports in which the Sri Lanka contingent will be participating include archery, shooting, swimming, power lifting, cycling, women’s volleyball, table tennis and tennis.
Paralympic medallist Pradeep Sanjaya will captain the team. Pradeep put Sri Lanka on the Olympic map when he won a bronze medal in the m at the 2012 Paralympics held in London. This places him shoulder to shoulder with Olympic medallists Duncan White and Susanthika Jayasinghe. Pradeep also won a Gold medal at the 2010 First Asian Para Games held in Guangzhou, China, and a Bronze medal at the World Paralympic Athletic Games 2013 in Lyon, France.
He is one of about 75% ex-servicemen comprising the Paralympic team, who served in the Sri Lanka armed forces and received injuries during the civil war. “I am excited to be competing in the Games, and hope to get at least two medals this time. I have never let my disability keep me from achieving anything I want to,” he said. He will be competing in the T46 men’s 400 metre and the T46 men’s 800 metre track events.
Allianz Insurance Lanka, the local subsidiary of German financial services conglomerate Allianz, confirmed its partnership with the National Federation of Sports for the Disabled (National Paralympic Committee), Sri Lanka, in October last year (2013). The Allianz commitment to the Paralympic movement in Sri Lanka extends from Allianz Group’s global partnership with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
The Allianz Group has partnered with the IPC since 2006, and in 2011, stepped up its commitment to become the first ‘International Partner’ of the IPC and ‘National Supporter’ of national Paralympic committees. The Group provided support for the Paralympic contingent to participate in the World Paralympic Athletic Games 2013 held in Lyon, France last year.
“We are truly committed to improving the quality of life of our differently-abled athletes by uplifting para sports in the country and creating awareness of its importance. Para sports are not given the same attention received by other sports in Sri Lanka. Our support goes beyond the monetary, into non-monetary areas as well,” said Allianz Lanka CEO Surekha Alles.
“Disability is an issue that could affect any of us. There is a strong link that ties Allianz to the Paralympics. The topics of health, rehabilitation and reintegration into society after a casualty are part of our daily business. The athletes’ passion for the sport, their ability to believe in themselves, and their ambition to strive for excellence in achieving their goals, is an inspiration for all people everywhere, regardless of physical impairment.”
In January this year, Allianz Insurance Lanka sponsored a two- day coaching workshop conducted by international Paralympic Coach and Chief Operating Officer of the IPC, George Schlachtenberger. This established a strategic road map for competing in the 2016 Rio Paralympics. On 11 October, Allianz Insurance Lanka provided the National Federation of Sports for the Disabled with a substantial financial contribution towards meeting the cost of the team’s participation in the 2014 Asian Para Games.
Brigadier Rajitha Ampemohotti, President, National Federation of Sports for the Disabled, said: “Allianz Lanka has been partnering us for one year now. Our partnership came at a crucial juncture. Allianz knows the importance of Paralympic sport; they understand its value in breaking down barriers of discrimination against people with impairments. Our partnership is helping to build awareness, change attitudes and contribute towards developing a society that provides equal opportunities for everyone.”
The Paralympic slogan ‘Motivation to move on. Strength to move up.’ serves as a guiding principle for all Allianz activities that relate not only to the Paralympic partnership but to other business areas as well.
