Dialog Asia Rugby Sevens 2021: AR, Dialog launches fan jersey

Dialog Axiata Group Chief Marketing Officer Amali Nanayakkara handing over sponsorship to AR President Qais Al-Dhalai in the presence of SL Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa. Also in picture (L-R) Dialog Axiata Senior General Manager – Brand and Media Harsha Samaranayake and AR Chairman – Competition and High Performance Asanga Seneviratne

Dialog Axiata Group Chief Marketing Officer Amali Nanayakkara handing over the first ever Dialog Asia Rugby Sevens fan jersey to AR President Qais Al-Dhalai in the presence of SL Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa. Also in picture (L-R) Dialog Axiata Senior General Manager – Brand and Media Harsha Samaranayake and AR Chairman – Competition and High Performance Asanga Seneviratne

Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, is the title sponsor of the much-anticipated Asia Rugby (AR) Sevens’ series, which would be the combination and culmination of the three legs of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series to be played in Dubai – United Arab Emirates, on the 19 and 20 November 2021. 

From 2015 onwards, Dialog Axiata has sponsored the Sri Lankan leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series tournament, which was traditionally played at the Racecourse Grounds – Colombo. The Sri Lankan leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series was last played at Colombo in 2019 and wasn’t played since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2021 to be hosted in Dubai, will be a culmination of the traditional three legs of the tournament played across Asia to qualify for the World Cup.

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa said: “I don’t have to introduce Dialog to rugby, and it was in 2012 that Dialog partnered with us when I was playing (national team). Dialog is a very strong partner for rugby, and not only rugby, but for most of the sports in Sri Lanka.” 

“Asia has the biggest potential to popularize this sport that we all love, making it a truly international sport for all, male and female,” said, Asia Rugby President Qais Al-Dhalai. 

“Asia Rugby’s ultimate objective was always to partner with a reputable and efficient organisation which we found Dialog super fit.”    

Al Dhalai added: “Asia has over 130,750 registered players, 450,000 regular participants and nearly 1,000,000 social media followers.” 

Dialog, together with Asia Rugby, launched a unique fan jersey ahead of the tournament that captures the spirit of rugby in the Asian continent. The fan jersey, designed and stitched in Sri Lanka, encompasses the vibrant colours and unique designs of Asia as well as sporting the map of the continent on the right-hand sleeve, which incidentally has the highest viewership for rugby in the world.

The fan jersey would be available in all sizes at leading fashion retail outlets such for Rs. 1,650.