CFIN SOCIETY SPONSORSHIP FOR RAHEEM AND BUDDHIKA

Two promising disabled athletes N. R. Raheem and Buddhika Liyanage received a tremendous boost when they were presented with a sponsorship package from the Colombo Friend-in-need (CFIN) Society to participate in the Third Asian Youth Para Games 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 yesterday.

Raheem of D. S. Senanayake College Colombo will compete in three events namely the Boys’ 100 metres butterfly, 100 metres backstroke and in the 100 metres freestyle.

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 excellent performances at the AIDEX Sports Festival held in October.

Altogether eight athletes (five Boys’ and three Girls’) would represent the country at this meet.

This sponsorship package was arranged 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 Lanerolie of the Board of Management of the CFIN Society.

Abeysekera and Professor Sheriffdeen expressed their confidence that both these young athletes would bring honour to the country by winning a medal at this meet.

The other sponsorship partners were the MJF Charitable Foundation on behalf of Dilmah Tea and the Old Boys Association of D. S. Senenayake College.