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| Sunday, 26 October 2003 |
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Eighth edition of SriLankan Airlines Golf Classic - a boon to tourism too! by A. C. DE SILVA SriLankan Airlines eighth annual Golf Classic that starts on October 29 and goes on for four days till November 1 at the Victoria Golf Course in Kandy promises exciting fare with 131 foreign and 51 local players making it a total of 182 players from 13 countries. Besides the lively competition expected from such a vast field, sports, tourism too stands to gain tremendously as the foreign players will be coming from the UK, Oman, Switzerland, Qatar, Japan, Singapore, Kuwait, Bahrain, Australia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Indonesia. "There are no national champions among the foreign players who are coming but from all accounts there are some very good players who will be here," said Tony Witham - General Manager, Victoria Golf Club, Kandy at the press conference held last Tuesday at Ceylon Continental Hotel. It will be a four-cornered tournament - gross, nett, seniors and juniors and Victoria Golf Club is somewhat elated to have a golf course that can be compared with the best in the world. "We have had some good reports from players and it gives us some comforting thoughts," said Tony Witham. The golfing fraternity is hoping that the Tourist Board will come into the picture. "With their support, we will be able to make this event more popular and will be in a position to take golf right up the popularity list and Sri Lanka too will gain a great deal," Witham added. Sri Lanka will also make every effort to have a professional tournament in Asia. It is an expensive affair but with golf catching up in popularity in the region, this can be made a dream come true, Witham added. Peter Hill - Chief Executive, SriLankan Airlines said that his organisation tried to get the SriLankan Airlines Golf Classic going. "It was not easy a few years ago, but our efforts have now proved fruitful. We have been trying to attract visitors are to Sri Lanka who have serious interest in golf. Last year, there were 50 to 60 overseas players and this year, there has been tremendous interest from overseas and it is great tribute to the organisers," Peter Hill said. He said that he was expecting a fine environment for golf. Peter Hill further said that SriLankan Airlines supports rugby football, horse racing and many other sports besides golf. A tournament of this nature is very good for the country, Peter Hill said as it projects a market image and it is attractive and encourages the foreigners to come to Sri Lanka. "With infrastructure falling in line Sri Lanka can think of attracting multi-national companies to come to Sri Lanka and with a golf course like Victoria, more companies can be wooed in to come here," added Peter Hill. Transport to come to places like Digana is not a problem now. SriLankan Airlines will put out their new 9-seater Float Carriers two of which will be in use at the Golf Classic. "It takes around 3 to 4 hours to get to Digana by road, but these Float Carriers will take you there in about 35 minutes," assured the SriLankan Airlines Chief. G. T. Jayaseelan - Head of Commercial, SriLankan Airlines said that his organisation is keen in not only providing facilities to the tourists but also helping the sportsmen who come to the country. "We have helped in Rugby Sevens, Golf and by this way help in the promotion of tourism in Sri Lanka through sports. Our ideas is not only promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination but also as a gateway to Asia," Jayaseelan said. Chandana de Silva, Head of Corporate and Communication, SriLankan Airlines said that his organisation will make this Golf Classic a thing to remember and thereby promote the country's image. |
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