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| Sunday, 6 October 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Caltex prepared to sponsor Deaf Schools sports activities islandwide : Deaf volleyball tourney today by A.C. DE SILVA Finding sponsors for handicapped sportsmen and sportswomen is a difficult task, as most sponsors feel shy of coming forward as they do not get the mileage. However, there is one sponsor Caltex, now a Chevron Texaco Company, who have shown an immense amount of sympathy towards the unfortunate ones by readily stretching out their hand and sponsoring the Deaf and Blind Schools sporting activities. Caltex has sponsored motor sports, rugby football, cricket and indoor cricket and Caltex authorities have not turned away the Deaf Schools Past Pupils Association. Kishu Gomes - the amiable Managing Director of Caltex has brought some comforting moments to the unfortunate Deaf and Blind sportsmen and sportswomen by willing to sponsor the sporting activities. "It is important to help the needy and we consider it a social obligation to support the people who are somewhat not able to keep themselves going," said Gomes at a media briefing to announce the three year sponsorship package in promoting Deaf Schools sporting events. Netball, cricket and volleyball are the three sports that primarily occupy the minds of Caltex. The sponsorship period is from January 2002 to December 2004. For this year, cricket for boys and netball for girls have already being worked off and on Sunday, October 6 it will be volleyball for both boys and girls. There are nine teams from five schools that have entered the volleyball tournament. Ratmalana (boys and girls), Tangalle (boys and girls), Bandarawela (boys and girls), Kurunegala (boys and girls) and Thihariya (only boys). Caltex will not stop at this, but will go one step further by creating more opportunities of the Deaf and Blind schools to display their talent on the sporting field. The authorities believe that the true spirit of sportsmanship the youngsters would undoubtedly experience, will help mould them into better individuals, confident of their ability to achieve anything in life. Kishu Gomes said that they have identified 19 Deaf and Blind Schools around the entire island and his company is prepared to help the student in their sporting activities to the tune of about three million rupees for the next three years. The plans are being drawn up and they will be put into operation very soon. Nishantha Wickramaratne - Group Brand manager, Caltex said that his establishment has a firm commitment towards the Deaf Schools Past Pupils Association. He said that they have given the lead and hoped that support will come from the larger community to lessen the burden of the unfortunate ones and make them feel somewhat happy Mrs. Marie Wijeratne - Parton of the Deaf Past Pupils Association and Principal of The Deaf School expressed her deep gratitude to Caltex for coming forward to encourage the Deaf Schools in their sporting activities. Mrs. Wijeratne said that deaf people should be made to feel that they are equal to other people in society and not second class citizens and a lot can be done in this regard through sports. She played a glowing tribute to the management of Caltex and also to that indefatigable Public Relations Manager Zaharine R. Haameen for all the encouragement given to Deaf Schools sports activities. Shivantha Vivekanadan - Vice President, Deaf School Past Pupils Association (who spoke in sign language) said that a successful year has gone though in sports with the lavish sponsorship of Caltex. He further said that society must get together and lend a helping hand so that the deaf people will be able to inter-mingle with normal people and carry out their day to day activities. |
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