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| Sunday, 23 February 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Success on initial tourneys brings in lavish Caltex sponsorship for deaf activities by A. C. De Silva Vajira Abeysinghe - Head of Sales and Marketing of Caltex made a timely and a pleasing announcement that Caltex has initially set aside Rs. 10 million for the upliftment of the facilities for 10 deaf and blind schools out of the 19 in the island. He said that projects that come into their mind were computer care projects, refurbishing of hostels, developing playgrounds, supplying of braille machines, supplying of group hearing aids, upgrading and development of vocational training needs. Abeysinghe, who 'stood in' for Caltex Managing Director Kishu Gomes who was out of the island on official business, at the press conference in connection with the sponsorship of the Second Deaf School Netball Championships on Sunday, February 23, said that it was the success of the first tourney last year that prompted Caltex to go in a big way to help the unfortunate girls and boys so that they would be able to fit into society as such and feel they are being cared for. He said that his establishment noted with much pride the tremendous work that is being done by the Deaf Schools Past Pupils Association and the School for the Deaf, Ratmalana to uplift the living standards of the unfortunate children it gave the management of Caltex to make further contributions. Netball, cricket and volleyball tournaments of the deaf schools came in for sponsorship by Caltex last year and "they were huge successes and it inspired us to work with the Deaf Schools Past Pupils Association and the authorities of the Deaf and Blind Schools, Ratmalana to widen our sponsorship program," said Vajira Abeysinghe. Caltex entered the sponsorship endeavours in 1994 and motor racing obviously took pride of place and there were 22 members (drivers and riders) who are presently under the care of Caltex, then rugby football where Caltex sponsors the inter-club league and knock-out tournaments, then the SSC came in for sponsorship by Caltex. "The SSC had produced the most number of national cricketers and thereby well get mileage too," added Abeysinghe. Seevali College, Ratnapura is a lesser known school than say Royal, S. Thomas', Ananda, Nalanda, St. Joseph's or St. Peter's, but the deeds of the boys at Seevali College despite the lack of facilities for boxing, impressed not only officials of Caltex, but all followers of boxing when they turned up trumps for a number of years. The Ratnapura school does not have a ring of their own, it was not only Seevali, but Ratnapura does not have a ring. But, the school will get a ring within the next three months, thanks to Caltex, who also pays for the coach of the Seevali boxers. So, with severe odds to overcome, the school has done well to beat the better known schools in boxing. Jaffna participating Arrangements are well under way for the second annual Caltex Deaf Schools Netball Championships where eight teams, including a team from Jaffna will be participating for the first time. Though the girls from Nufield Deaf and Blind School, Kallady (Jaffna) has not confirmed their participation, they have shown interest in playing. "We will be making arrangements for their stay at Ratmalana," said Mrs. Marie Wijeratne - the Principal of Deaf School, Ratmalana. There is no age-limit for the girls participating in the netball tournament. "With Caltex coming forward with the sponsorship, we have been able to make the lives of the unfortunate children more enjoyable. Children are children everywhere. They should be able to enjoy the same rights," Mrs. Wijeratne said. Nishantha Wickramaratne - Group Brand Manager of Caltex said that Caltex started off their sponsorship drive in a small manner where the deaf schools were concerned, but now the company has widened the sponsorship campaigns. Vajira Abeysinghe - Head of Sales and Marketing of Caltex presented the sponsorship cheque to the Chairman of the Organising Committee Shivantha Vivekanandan. The others present were Mrs. Marie Wijeratne - Principal, Deaf School, Ratmalana, Nishantha Wickramaratne - Group Brand Manager and Mrs. Zaharine R. Hameen - Manager, Public Relations and Corporate Affairs (both of Caltex). |
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