Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR)
has finally announced its sponsor for the ongoing inter-club rugby league
having conducted the tournament without one for weeks.
Resuming
rugby after two long years looked a tall task as SLR faced several challenges
with regard to sponsorships and at one point it looked as if the wait for rugby
would go on for another year.
But SLR
opted to play hardball with all the other parties who were trying to jeopardize
the tournament and organised it without any sponsor.
Now with the
arrival of Nippon Paints as the premier sponsor, this would certainly be a huge
win for SLR President Rizly Illyas, who was more than happy to get one over
those who were perceived to not want the tournament to take place.
“Sri Lanka
Rugby in partnership with 'The Paint Expert' who are not new to sports
sponsorship as they are with cricket and racing gives them impetus sponsoring
rugby, the fastest growing sports in the country. Sri Lanka Rugby is happy and
excited with the partnership of Nippon Paints and see the opportunity with this
tie up to bring about a fan base competition, giving rugby fans the coating for
them to take part and win fabulous prizes," Illyas said.
"The
current sponsorship is only for the present inter-club league and Clifford Cup
knockout and the inter-club 7’s tournaments. During our discussion, Nippon
Paints were very keen in sponsoring SLR tournaments."
"Nippon
paints have revolutionized the paint industry together with SLR and our
partnership, I am sure, would boost SLR rugby to the next level of winning a
medal in an international tournament and we are in within that window with the
upcoming Commonwealth Rugby 7’s and The Asian 7’s both later this year,” Illyas
told the media.
Meanwhile,
Nippon Paints General Manager Nemantha Abeysingha said they were delighted to
join hands with SLR to help rugby in Sri Lanka.
“Over the
years we have partnered with a number of sports such as cricket, water sports
and racing, and this is the first time we are partnering with rugby. I think
this is a great partnership for both Nippon Paint and SLR and we hope to
continue this for the coming years as well,” Abeysingha said.
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