13th AmCham RCGC Golf Tournament 2012 on 25 Aug.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham) in partnership with the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) will be organising the Annual AmCham RCGC Golf Tournament for the 13th year on 25 August at the RCGC.

The AmCham RCGC Golf Tournament has a rich history of supporting worthy CSR projects through the years.

The charity donations have always been channelled to the most deserving in society. In the past, AmCham with the support of their sponsors, have contributed to Jaipur Limb Foundation, Castle Street Maternity Hospital, the Cancer Hospital in Maharagama and  registered orphanages to name a few.

 During the past two years AmCham and RCGC have identified and assisted in the educational requirements of needy children of the caddie staff and others in the vicinity of the RCGC.

The children were awarded school bags, school books, uniform materials, shoes etc. Scholarships were awarded to children who performed exceptionally well at exams to meet their future educational expenses and also to pursue their higher studies.

This year too, the donation will be used for the same purpose and the organisers expect a substantial number of children to benefit. This year’s tournament is expected to attract around 250 golfers both local and expatriates community in Sri Lanka.

AmCham President Viaya Ratnayake said that AmCham is honoured to be partnered by two of the leading corporates in the finance and telecommunication sectors respectively.

 He said that this partnership will not only help achieve CSR objectives but also provide a good networking opportunity.

The tournament is being sponsored by the NDB bank as the Platinum Sponsor and Airtel Sri Lanka as the Telecommunication Partner.  He further said that this tournament has gone from strength to strength over the years due to the immense support received from the sponsors, well wishes and participants.

Commenting on the bank’s partnership of the AmCham RCGC Golf tournament, NDB Chief Operating Officer Indrajit Wickramasinghe said, “NDB is glad to partner this charitable event that contributes towards the education of indigent children in the society. This is an initiative that goes hand in hand with the bank’s strategic CSR scheme which also places great emphasis on education. AmCham Sri Lanka plays an important role as a catalyst for positive social change through human welfare and promoting the highest standards for ethical business practices. NDB’s partnership with AmCham for this year’s tournament is a reiteration of the bank’s commitment to social development and advocacy of exemplary corporate citizenship.”

Bharti Airtel Sri Lanka CEO Suren Goonewardene said, “Airtel prides itself on being an inclusive organisation. The benefits of golf are similarly inclusive in nature in that it can be played by people of any age or competency. Of most importance to us at Airtel, is the culture of scrupulous honesty that the game of golf operates within. It is played on trust and respect and our sponsorship of this Tournament reflects our desire to maintain these virtues within our own organisation, and amongst the Sri Lankan business community.”

Chairman of the Organising Committee of AmCham Primal Wijayanayake said that this tournament is a much anticipated event in the golfing calendar of RCGC and  having helped a number of needy in society over the years it has now being channelled to the needy community surrounding RCGC.  He expressed his sincere gratitude to the sponsors and to his organising team for working tirelessly in putting this event together.

Captain of the RCGC Priath Fernando said, “Royal Colombo Golf Club is the most prestigious club in Sri Lanka with a membership representing almost all the leaders of the private sector and several commercially oriented government owned establishments operating in Sri Lanka. The members have selected to partner with AMCHAM whose membership compliments its own with many areas of common interest. We have for many years supported AMCHAM in their fund raising activities by providing access to our facilities and our membership and would like to thank them in return for giving us the opportunity to nominate recipient organisations that use these funds to help those in need. Our joint efforts have led us to more recently focus on providing better prospects for the children of our staff and the caddies, to educate and develop themselves and we hope to ensure that our members and sponsors too get value and a deep sense of pride in return.”