CFIN Society backing for Raheem and Buddhika
Buddhika Liyanage and N. R. Raheem receiving the sponsorship at the launch
Buddhika Liyanage and N. R. Raheem, two promising disabled athletes received a sponsorship package from the Colombo Friend-in-Need (CFIN) Society to compete in the Third Asian Youth Para Games which will be held from December 10 to 14 in Dubai, UAE.
The official ceremony for the presentation of the sponsorship took place during a media conference held at the CFIN Society Head Office in Colombo.
Raheem, a student of D. S. Senanayake College Colombo has been selected to compete in three swimming events namely the Boys’ 100 metres butterfly, 100 metres backstroke and the 100 metres freestyle.
In addition, Liyanage of St. Anne’s College Kurunegala will participate in two track and field events namely, the Boys’ 100m and long jump events.
The two athletes, both amputees were selected by the Sri Lanka Paralympics Committee after considering their outstanding performances at the AIDEX Sports Festival held in October.
Altogether eight athletes (five Boys’ and three Girls’) will represent the country at this meet.
This sponsorship package was co-ordinated by the President of the CFIN Society Nihal Abeysekara, Vice-President (VP) CFIN Society and Chairman of AIDEX Professor A. H. Sheiffdeen and Mrs. Heather de Lanerolle of the Board of Management of the CFIN Society.
The other sponsorship partners were the MJF Charitable Foundation on behalf of Dilmah Tea and the Old Boys’ Association of D. S. Senanayake College.
Over 650 disabled athletes from 45 Asian countries are set to participate in this event in 10 different sporting disciplines.
The 10 events that will be worked off are archery, athletics, badminton,bowling, chess, gold ball, powerlifting, table tennis and swimming.
The inaugural Asian Youth Para Games was held in 2009 and the second edition was held in 2013.
Japan have dominated the previous two events having bagged a total of 104 Gold Medals, 146 Silver Medals and 147 Bronze Medals. They are followed by Iran and China.
Sri Lanka have won only three Gold Medals and three Silver Medals at the previous two events.