First disabled friendly stadium in Trincomalee

The first disabled friendly stadium in the North and East with seating accommodation for 750 constructed in Trincomalee Ehambaram playgrounds at a cost of US $ 220,000 with the support of USAID was declared opened on June 5 by Ms Rebecca Cohn, USAID Mission Director. The implementing partner of the project was Leonard Cheshire International (LCRDC) which has its headquarters in UK.

The stadium has been provided with the facility for disabled players and fans such toilets with four feet doors for disabled to enter without any difficulty and enough space to move in wheel chairs.

Ehambaram playgrounds was known as Rifle Green in the colonial days till the country gained independence A battalion of the Rifle Regiment of the British Army was located in one of the two playgrounds in the Trincomalee town during colonial days. The ground was later named Rifle Green. Later it was renamed Ehambaram playgrounds after late Thambiah Ehambaram who rendered immense services for development of sports in the town, said P.Thirumugam, LCDRC Trincomalee Programme Manager in his introductory address.

“Trincomalee has been in forefront of playing football. It has produced several national level foot ball players. Trincomalee is called a football town,” said Mr.Triumugam. Ms Rebecca Cohn said: “Sports are a great connector, Trincomalee has the tradition of producing good sportsmen and women, a variety of sports are supported and practices here including cricket, football, basketball and volleyball.

She said this was the sports facility in the town constructed with bearing in mind people have differing abilities. This is something the USAID takes pride in. USAID has a longstanding history in Sri Lanka for inclusiveness of all members of the society. “We strive to build accessible public facilities that would greatly empower the disable community to manage their own work,” she added.

Later she ceremonially handed over the renovated stadium to the Trincomalee Urban Council Mr.S.Gowrimuhunthan. The stadium and playgrounds come under the administration of the UC. In an exhibition football match played at the conclusion of the event Koneswara Hindu College beat St.Joseph College 2-0.