Interviews with athletes taking part in the Asian Youth Para Games 2021

The Youth Council members interviewed all the athletes and coaches who attended the above games during the training period before the games. This received wide publicity and motivated and encouraged the athletes to train harder with the support they received. Unfortunately, the para games do not get the same amount of publicity that the normal games and athletes receive, and our aim is to change that. In actual fact the para games athletes did relatively better than the normal athletes in all International Games representing Sri Lanka. 

Case study (2021)

Naveed Raheem who is 17 years old is going to the Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain in December 2021. He is training under Julion Bolling and is doing well. Just received this video of his strength training. He used to use a CFINS limb when he won the 2 mile open sea swim event when he was 15 years old. He studies at D.S. Senanayake College, and when he went to Dubai for an international event CFINS helped him. During his interview with the CFINS youth wing recently, he thanked CFINS and mentioned the AIDEX and how he looks forward to it and loves the cycling event. Prof Sheriffdeen has helped him and let’s hope he does Sri Lanka proud. Julion thinks he has a good chance to get a medal this time.

Raheem uses a prosthetic limb from CFINS. All other athletes taking part are having different disabilities. Raheem went as the team leader. We highlighted all of them in order to encourage everyone with special needs or differently abled to achieve their dreams and lead a normal life.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2021/11/28/sports/para-athletes-take-wing-asian-youth-games 

The other athletes interviewed include

Galina Basnayake

Age: 16

Events: 100 m freestyle, 400 m freestyle, 100m butterfly

M. F. M. Safran

Age = 16 years

School = Giri/ Arakyala Muslim Maha Vidyalaya

Arakyala, Kekunagolla.

Events = F 46, Long jump / 100m

F46 means he has a disability in his hand. 

S. W.A.Isuru Hansaka

Age = 19 years

School = Lumbini College,Colombo 05

Events = T 46 100m/ 200m /Long Jump

Disability = One Hand Disabled

S. Ravindu chiranjaya

Age = 18 years

School = G/ Richmond College, Galle.

Events = T 11  100m/ 200m /400m

Disability = blind

K A Pansilu pasan

Age = 15 years

School = st. Mary’s college, Elpitiya.

Events = Helper to T11 athlete

Pansilu is the helper