Sri Lanka Telecom pumps in Rs. 50 million for SAF Games

Sri Lanka Telecom has put their best foot forward hoping to make the forthcoming 10th South Asian Games a success by claiming themselves as principal sponsors with a generous Rs. 50 million sponsorship package.

The Games will be held here for the second time in Sri Lanka from August 17 to 27 ,2006 with 2500 athletes from 8 countries competing in over 20 disciplines in a ten-day competition. It will provide a carnival atmosphere.

Nalin Attygale Chairman, Marketing and Sponsorship Committee (NOC) Sri Lanka said at a press briefing at the Colombo Hilton Hotel, that the idea of such an event was first mooted by Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, India again and Sri Lanka in Germany.

The ten-day competition will undoubtedly help to develop and strengthen the relationship through sport with the participation of sportsmen and women in and around the region.

The first SAF Games were to be held in Bangladesh in 1983, but it did not materialise, and Nepal took over the responsibility.

Two years later, Bangladesh hosted the Games in 1985 and Sri Lanka had the honour in hosting the Games in 1991 in Colombo.

The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Jeevan Kumaratunga said that he was glad that SLT has taken over the main sponsorship with about 80 days ahead of the SAF Games. The holding of the Games were planned two years hence, but due to the T-Sunami and elections it had to be postponed.

He further said that Telecom is one of those profit making establishments, and he was glad that they are giving something back to the nation.

R.A.