Singhalese Sport Club (SSC), announced last week that they would be hosting the first-ever International Wheelchair Tennis Open, a US$ 2,000 prize money worth ITF Futures series event of the NEC calendar, from today (July 16). The tournament will continue till July 18 at the club clay courts at Maitland Place.

A total of 12 Sri Lankan players will take part in this tournament including the highest ranked local Upali Rajakaruna who currently holds a world rank of 137. Dissanayake M. Gamini who is ranked 191 will be the second best player representing the hosts. Players from Malaysia have already confirmed their participation in the tournament.

"We are yet to get confirmation from the Indian participants. Anyway, there will be a 16-player Singles draw before the Doubles," said Lt. Col. Shiran Abeysekera, head of wheelchair tennis at the SL Tennis Association on Thursday (July 15).

Meanwhile a communiqué issued by the SSC last week says: "The SSC is delighted to be hosting the 1st SSC Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships here in Sri Lanka and is particularly proud that the International Tennis Federation (ITF) endorsed SSC being a suitable venue. This is also the first time this game will be played on clay courts in Sri Lanka. SSC wishes to invite all differently-abled people to come and witness this great historic event from July 16–18."

It further adds saying; "Due to financial constraints, our talented wheelchair tennis players were not able to compete at international ranking tournaments where they could have improved their current rankings. Our players are competent and more talented than a lot of players from other countries, but due to lack of international exposure, they are unable to get to the top international ranks."

Bank of Ceylon is the main sponsor of the SSC Open Wheelchair International.