Softlogic in big sponsorship deal for CR

Softlogic has signed on the biggest sponsorship deal so far with the CR & FC this year for an undisclosed sum and expect the Red Shirts to regain all trophies on offer. CR plays their first game of the Caltex League Championships on Saturday (May 27) with the Army at Longden Place.

Speaking at a media briefing at Longden Place on Friday night, Softlogic's director, Roshan Razool, said that they saw a lot of similarities between the CR and Softlogic like determination, planning, discipline, team spirit and the passion to be victorious and was certain that CR will be No. 1 in the country and wished them well.

He further said that Softlogic was pleased to be the main sponsor of CR, one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country, and that earlier they were involved in sponsorship of golf and cricket. He said that Softlogic cares about sports and the youth of the country.

Acting President of the CR & FC, Ronnie Gunaratne, thanked Softlogic for the "substantial" sponsorship package and promised that his club will continue to play top class rugby and win back all trophies.

The Secretary of CR, Jehan Canakaratne, said that the club is in the process of building a new club house with a seating capacity for 500 spectators with new dressing rooms etc. which will be ready for the Asiad in November. He also said that there will be a fine dinning room and hopes to put up three hard courts for tennis and an indoor court too with the assistance of Ceylinco Group. A modern gymnasium too is on the cards.

He further disclosed that CR needs about Rs. 9 million per year for rugby and everything connected to the sport and that they are the first club to contract players who are paid monthly. There is a squad of 41 players turning out for practice with Pavithra Fernando the dashing flanker leading them this season.

Among the others who were present were Roshan Tissera (Chairman of the Sponsorship Committee of CR & FC), Ranjan Perera (Director of Softlogic), Roshini Wirasinghe (Manager, Corporate Communications of Softlogic) and former Police, Havelocks and Sri Lanka captain, Anton Benedict, who also headed the SLRFU, but now General Manager of the CR & FC.

L.G.