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| Sunday, 23 May 2004 |
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Unilevers pumps in 4.7m rupees to sponsor junior cricket by Ranjan Anandappa Unilevers will melt a sum of 4.7 million rupees for the Astra Cup at the under 14 and under 16 junior cricket tournaments that will get underway shortly. The 'Cup' which will be up for grabs among junior school cricketers in 22 districts finds the quantum of sponsorship increased considerably. This was assumed by Unilever Foods Director Mrs. Amali Nanayakkara when sponsors of this popular tournament met the press along with the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket authorities and the Sri Lanka Cricket officials at the SLC Board Room recently. Mrs. Amali Nanayakkara disclosed that over 150 million people consume Unilever products daily around the globe and since the inception of Astra in 1967 in a short period of time it has now become a household name. The dedication, enthusiasm and the confidence shown by the players towards the tournament has inspired us to sponsor the event. "Unilevers is committed towards the uplift of the community. By sharing information with the Sri Lankan community on health and nutrition and by providing children with the opportunity to display their sporting talents. Astra will no doubt create an arena for a positive tomorrow," said the Director Foods Amali Nanayakkara. Former Sri Lanka master batsman and a Vice-President of Sri Lanka Cricket Aravinda de Silva said that the two-year sponsorship of Unilever's towards junior cricket is a very important step and will help to promote youngsters as cricket at the youngest level could be considered as the cradle of future cricketers. "The junior cricket stage is a very important stage in a cricketer's career, I got my exposure at this level and from there I launched my international career," said the former Sri Lankan basher who has thrilled cricket fans all over the world with his cavalier style of batting. "Media plays a big role in developing the game and without sponsors cricket cannot be played. The media, sponsors and the governing body of the game should go hand in hand to develop cricket. It is also important that the sponsors get something back in return for their efforts and that should be done by giving publicity to the sponsors' product" Said Aravinda. The president of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association P. Wiratunga who is also the Principal of Thurstan College, said that since 1985 SLSCA had links with Astra and the two-year sponsorship by Astra has done good for the game. It has helped the outstation schools to come out with good competitive performances. On previous occasions, the junior tournaments were run with restricted number of overs. The side that bats first will have the privilege of facing 60 overs and the side that bats second faces only 40 overs. This restriction will not apply in future tournaments as the two sides will have to plan out their strategy as to how they will utilise the 100 overs in the one day game. In addition to the tournament, Astra will conduct nutrition programmes in schools and in all parts of the Island. Izeth Mohammed, Activation Manager (Unilevers), Rohan Kaluarachchi (Brand Manager), Lawrence Amarasena (Hon. Secretary (Sri Lanka Cricket) Duleep Mendis (Chief Executive Officer SLC) were also present. |
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