Havies enter a new era of rugby with Dialog

Havies emerge triumphant after a bruising 2012 Dialog Club Rugby League Tournament, eyes double crown to bag Dialog Clifford Cup Knockout Tournament in coming weeks.

Havies broke the stranglehold that the hill country seemed to have on the Sri Lankan club rugby circuit during this year's Dialog Club Rugby League by taking down Kandy SC in a strong performance that left no one in doubt as to their champion status. Havies last won the league championship way back in 1981.

Sri Lanka's premier mobile telephony services provider Dialog Axiata PLC, who became the official sponsor of 2012 league champions Havelock SC (Sports Club) rugby team during this season, have confirmed their commitment to the Park club for the next two years.

Havelock SC, popularly known as 'Havies' is one of the oldest and leading sports clubs in Sri Lanka.

The game of rugby football has a proud history at the Havelock Park Club as the mighty 'Havies' have been playing the sport for the best part of a century.

The Havies rugby team who have been in the forefront of Sri Lankan club rugby since the early 1950's have become league champions 11 times and won the coveted Clifford Cup knockout championship six times.

The Havies lead the 2012 league tables virtually from the get go and went on to clinch their fifth league title after a lean period as far as trophies is concerned to them. The sponsorship will give Dialog Axiata exclusive branding rights over the Havelocks Rugby Team and its ground premises during this period of resurgence that has seen Havies rise yet again as force to be reckoned with.

Rugby football introduced to the Isle by British planters in the late 18th century has a loyal and strong following as a team sport in Sri Lanka.

Earlier this year Dialog Axiata inked an exclusive five year contract with Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) to sponsor the Sri Lanka 15 a Side National Team, the 'A' Division Club Rugby League Tournament and the upcoming Clifford Cup Tournament.

The sponsorship deal saw Dialog Axiata become both an Official Partner and the Official Mobile Network of the 2012 national and club rugby seasons. The sponsorship gives Dialog Axiata the exclusive rights to use their promotional material at match venues and on clothing of the teams, while the title of the club tournament will be named Dialog Rugby League 'A' Division and Dialog Clifford Cup Knockout Tournaments.

This season a total of nine teams are battling it out for the Dialog Rugby League 'A' Division and Dialog Clifford Cup Knockout Tournaments.

"We are pleased to have partnered with the Havelock Sports Club to sponsor their rugby team over the next three years," Ahmed Irfan, Head of Marketing at Dialog Axiata PLC said.

"Rugby is one of the most revered sports in Sri Lanka which draws crowds from all segments of society and I'm sure our new partnership will help the game to develop to a new level."

Dialog is closely associated in developing School Cricket, Athletics, Football, Rugby, Volleyball, Rowing and Disabled Sports, and has sponsored national contingents to international events including the Olympics, Paralympics, Commonwealth, Asian, SAF and FESPIC Games.