Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) and the China Merchants Foundation (CMF) donated US$ 41,600 (approximately Rs 13.7 million at current rates of exchange) to the wheelchair tennis programme of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA), extending their support to the sport for the ninth year.
This latest donation takes the cumulative value of CICT’s and CMF’s monetary support to the development of wheelchair tennis in Sri Lanka to Rs 68 million. Besides the provision of funds, CICT in collaboration with the CMF has donated custom-made, professional grade titanium wheelchairs to internationally-ranked Sri Lankan wheelchair tennis players and has also funded the refurbishment of two international standard hard surface courts at SLTA.
CICT’s steadfast commitment to the cause has been acknowledged by the SLTA as the principal contributor to the recent growth of the sport and the emergence of high-performing Paralympians to represent the country.
The China Merchants Foundation is the social responsibility arm of CICT’s parent company, China Merchants Group (CMG).
Commenting on the CICT’s adoption of wheelchair tennis as a cause in Sri Lanka, CICT CEO Mr Jack Huang said: “As a company that is committed to promoting inclusivity, CICT is justifiably proud of the progress of the SLTA’s wheelchair tennis programme. Our consistent support has enabled the SLTA to plan and execute its development programme over a longer term, achieving tangible results.”
Thanking CICT and the China Merchants Foundation for their support to the programme, SLTA President Mr Iqbal Bin Issak said Sri Lanka is now ranked No 9 in the world in wheelchair tennis, and that the SLTA wheelchair tennis team comprises of 12 players, six of who are professionals.
SLTA’s wheelchair tennis programme was initiated in Sri Lanka in 2003 as a rehabilitation programme for differently-abled soldiers, and CICT has been supporting the programme since 2015.
CICT is the flagship overseas terminal of China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited (CMPort), the largest and a globally-competitive public port developer, investor and operator in China with investments in Mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas. CMPort has a port network portfolio spanning 50 ports in 26 countries and regions. Guided by the vision “To be a world class comprehensive port service provider” and supported by its domestic, overseas and innovation strategies, CMPort strives to strengthen its core competencies in global throughput, port service and management.