Athletics: Sri Lanka Para athletes aim top spot at 3rd Asian Games

Sri Lanka’s (SL) target is to top the Medals Table at the 3rd Asian Para Games (APG) stated SL National Paralympics Committee (NPC) President Maj.Gen. Rajitha Ampemohotti. 

The 3rd edition of the APG will be held from October 6-13 in Jakarta, Indonesia, 

The SL team led by 2016 Rio Paralympics Bronze medalist Dinesh Priyantha Herath will field a team of 35 Athletes representing 9 Sports disciplines comprising 2 Archers, 20 Athletes (Track and Field), 1 Shuttler, 2 visually impaired Chess players, 1 Powerlifter, 2 Swimmers, 3 Shooters, 1 Paddler and 3 Wheelchair Tennis players. 

"It is noteworthy to mention the encouragement and assistance we have received from the Ministry of Sports and the principal sponsor of the NPC, Dialog Axiata PLC, for their continued support towards empowering Athletes for the APG this year," said Maj.Gen. Ampemohotti. 

"It is extremely difficult to win medals at Asian Games but, our Para Athletes have been training hard. According to the talent they possess, this time they hope to win Gold, Silver and Bronze medals." 

"About a month ago, SL sent a contingent of about 100 Athletes to participate in 29 sports, at the Asian Games in Jakarta, but was unable to win a single medal. But we can promise we will win more medals this time." 

At the last edition Sri Lanka pocketed 14 medals. 

“We will not end there. We hope to win at the 2020 Paralympics too, as we have Athletes who can win medals,” Maj.Gen. Ampemohotti added. 

Previously, the APG was called the FESPIC Games (Far East and Pacific Games) which began in 2002 in Korea, where SL bagged more than 24 medals including 6 Gold medals. 

Subsequently, the Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2006, before rebranding as the 1st Asian Para Games, in China in 2010, while the 2nd APG was held in South Korea, 4 years later. 

On both the previous occasions, SL bagged more than 22 medals. 

This year, SL is represented by world class Athletes in the likes of Paralympic medalist Dinesh Priyantha Herath (Javelin) and top rankers such as Upul Indika Chuladasa (100m-200m) and Sampath Hettiarachchi (Javelin), along with prospective medalists in the likes of Sampath Bandara (Archery), Dinesh Desapriya (Table Tennis) and Gamini Dissanayake (Wheelchair Tennis).