Eva ‘Official Cheering Partner for Team Sri Lanka’ at Tokyo 2020

From left: ICL Brand Executive Sachini Peramune, NOCSL Member – Marketing and Sponsorship Committee Manel Dharmakeerthi, NOCSL President Suresh Subramanium, ICL Marketing Manager Chethika Rajapaksha, ICL Group Director Shanthi Bhagirathan, NOCSL Member – Executive Committee Fazil Hussain, and ICL Head of Finance Rishan Abeyrathne

ICL Brands’ Eva lived up to its promise of ‘Leading with Confidence’ by partnering with the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) as the ‘Official Cheering Partner for Team Sri Lanka’ at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

The brand initiated a massive communication campaign, centred around the ‘Official Cheering Song’ to drive Sri Lankans to rally around Team Sri Lanka and support the nine athletes that bear the pride of the nation at Tokyo 2020. 

The launch of the ‘Official Cheering Song’ took place at the Capital Maharaja Group head office with the participation of Sri Lanka’s very own Olympic Silver Medallist Susanthika Jaysinghe, NOCSL Women’s Committee Chairperson Niloo Jayatilake, NOCSL’s Executive Committee Board Member Fazil Hussain and ICL Marketing Manager Chethika Rajapaksha. Amidst the other guests who graced the occasion were CMG Group CEO Sunil Kanojia, ICL Group Director Shanthi Bhagirathan, ICL CEO Rakesh Khosla.

The event was live streamed via multiple social media platforms simultaneously, reaching out to a wide audience and kicking off the cheering campaign officially. Eva’s campaign to cheer for Team Sri Lanka will continue throughout the period of Tokyo 2020 Olympics on multiple media platforms.

Susanthika Jayasinghe, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest, praised the initiative.

“I am extremely happy to see the brands of highest caliber, such as Eva, coming forward to support Sri Lankan athletes at Olympics. As an athlete who has represented and won for Sri Lanka on the Olympic stage, I know how much this means to our athletes in Tokyo right now.”

Speaking at the event, ICL Marketing Manager Rajapaksha said: “As a brand, Eva has always upheld the values of commitment and excellence which pave the way for ‘leading with confidence’. Every single one of our athletes at Tokyo 2020 Olympics epitomises these values. 

“They are at Olympics today only because of their unwavering commitment, will power and incredible mental toughness. They have made incredible sacrifices over their lifetime to realise this ultimate dream. We are delighted to join hands with the NOCSL for a mission that uplifts the spirits of Team Sri Lanka whilst promoting values that we hold high as a brand.” 

NOCSL’s Executive Committee Board Member Fazil Hussain said: ‘’We are grateful to Eva for stepping up to support Team Sri Lanka as the Official Cheering Partner. Today, these nine athletes represent the pride of a nation at Tokyo 2020. They deserve our appreciation, love, respect and support in their task. It is my humble request to all fellow Sri Lankans, let us rally around Eva’s initiative to cheer our team and stand behind them. It is our duty as Sri Lankans.”

NOCSL’s Women’s Committee Chairperson Niloo Gunatilake expressed her thoughts at the event.

“Team Sri Lanka for Tokyo 2020 is special in that 5 out of its’ 9 members are females which marks a noteworthy achievement for all Sri Lankan women. A leading women’s brand, Eva coming forward to cheer Team Sri Lanka coincides with this.  In that sense, this partnership too is remarkable and special. While I thank Eva for coming forward to support our mission, I invite all Sri Lankans and Sri Lankan women in particular, to join this campaign’’

The Official Cheering Song is voiced by popular singer Umaria Sinhawansa and Eva has developed two versions of the official cheering song; ‘Aya Wenuwena Eva’ dedicated to female athletes and ‘Oba Wenuwen Api’ dedicated to entire Team Sri Lanka. Eva’s communication campaign to rally people and cheer Team Sri Lanka unfolds throughout the duration of Tokyo 2020, on multiple media platforms.  Passionate Sri Lankans can join/support the campaign by engaging with the campaign, using #wecan and #defybarriers on social media platforms. 

ICL Marketing Manager Chethika Rajapaksha, Sydney 2000 Olympics Women’s 200m Silver Medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe, Dushan Vas, NOCSL Chairperson – Women’s Committee Niloo Jayatilake and NOCSL Member – Executive Committee Fazil Hussain