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| Sunday, 5 February 2006 |
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Sri Lanka must aim winning at Asian level - Kishu Gomes by Lal Gunesekera Caltex extended its commitment to the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) upto 2010 - 10 consecutive years of sponsorship, of the two major tournaments conducted by the SLRFU - the Caltex League Championship as well as the Caltex Knock-out Championship for the Clifford Cup. This year (2006), Caltex are also sponsoring the Under-23 Championships too. Speaking at the launch of the sponsorship package, Kishu Gomes, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Caltex Lubricants Lanka Limited, thanked the SLRFU for making the partnership work for the past six years, which is a great achievement. He said that rugby has gathered momentum and Sri Lanka are winning at international level. Gomes further said that Sri Lanka should get into the habit of winning at Asian level and make rugby the most respected sport in the country. Together with the SLRFU, Caltex, proposes to increase the number of TV coverages to about 40 games this year and are looking at radio promotion too, with prizes and surprises. Caltex will also continue with the Observer-Caltex Rugby Awards. "Our commitment is a big investment towards promoting rugby with speed, power, energy and protection going together with the Caltex brand and rugby. At least 50 per cent of companies abroad get themselves involved in sports, and I hope that more companies in Sri Lanka will do the same" said Gomes. Gomes also said that Caltex have extended their support to the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) of Sri Lanka and even Seevali MV of Ratnapura. Caltex have also supported Dammissara Vidyalaya in Nattandiya at Volleyball. They have also supported sports among differently abled and sponsored sports events such as Volleyball, Netball and Cricket at the Deaf and Blind School in Ratmalana. Caltex also sponsored Motor Racing for seven years and even Cricket at club level as well as sponsoring Sri Lanka's team at the 2004 Indoor World Cup. He called upon the government to either reduce or take away the tax they have to pay even where sponsorship is concerned, as Caltex in particular, are looking at other regional sponsorships and are a company helping rural persons. The President of the SLRFU, Priyantha Ekanayake, said that Caltex are in the forefront in their support of the SLRFU and thanked them profusely and hoped that they will continue with the partnership in the years to come. He promised an interesting and competitive season this year. Among the others who were present were, Michael Jayasekera (Deputy
President, SLRFU), Dilroy Fernando (CEO, SLRFU), Imal Fonsela (General
Manager, Sales and Marketing of Caltex), Shehan Perera (Group Brand Manager
of Caltex) and Ms. Niloufer Vandergert the new Manager, Event Sponsorship
and PR of Caltex. |
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