Dialog Axiata powers National Contingent for Asian Para Games 2018

Thursday, 27 September 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The third edition of the Asian Para Games will be held from 6to 13Octoberin Jakarta, Indonesia, where Sri Lanka will field a team of athletes representing nine different sporting disciplines, which include archers, athletes (track and field), badminton players, visually impaired chess players, power lifters, swimmers, shooters, table tennis players and wheelchair tennis players.

Previously, the Asian Para Games were called the FESPIC games (Far East and Pacific Games) which began in 2002, where Sri Lanka bagged more than 24 medals including six gold medals in Korea. Subsequently, the games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2006, before rebranding as the 1st Asian Para Games, that was held in China in the year 2010 and the second Asian Para Games that was held in South Korea four years later. On both the previous two occasions, Sri Lanka grabbed more than 22 medals.

This year, Sri Lanka is represented by world class athletes in the likes of paralympic medalist Dinesh Priyantha Herath (javelin) and top rankers such as Upul IndikaChuladasa (100/200m) and Sampath Hettiarachchi (javelin), along with many more medal winners at the Asian Level with potentials from archery (Sampath Bandara), table tennis (Dinesh Desapriya) and Gamini Dissanayake of wheelchair tennis.

“It is noteworthy to mention the support and assistance we have received from the Ministry of Sports and the principal sponsor of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Dialog Axiata PLC, for their continuous support towards empowering the athletes for the Asian Para Games this year,” said National Paralympic Committee President Major GeneralRajitha Ampemohotte.

“Dialog is pleased to have partnered with the NPC since 2002 to provide support for these athletes who will bring honour and glory to Sri Lanka,” said Dialog Axiata PLC General Manager – Brand and Media Harsha Samaranayake.

He added: “Sri Lankan para athletes have performed well in the last few international meets and Dialog will continue the support as a strong proponent of powering para athletes, parallel to our philosophy of empowering all segments of society to excel on a national and international stage.”