First Capital strikes hat-trick as principal sponsor of SSC open Tennis championship

First Capital Holdings has come forward as the principal (title) sponsor of the SSC open Tennis championship for the third consecutive year.

The SSC Open 2024 which began on 6 January would conclude on 21 January at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) tennis courts.

The championship is a major open ranking tennis tournament that will commence the 2024 tennis calendar year with over 750 entries as one of the most anticipated and highly coveted sporting events of the year.

SSC Honorary Secretary Vasantha Wijesekera said: “This year’s championship is special and will be historical, as SSC celebrates 125 years. I am indeed delighted to see the First Capital SSC open ranking championship being the first ranking tournament of the year 2024. Since the first championship was held in the 1980s and revived in the late 1990s, we have been able to provide a platform to some of the finest national players who represented Sri Lanka in many international tournaments. Among our unique features are the highest equal prize money for men and women, chair umpires, live TV coverage of the finals and some of the highest standards in facilities for the players and spectators.”

First Capital Head of Marketing Randinith Madanayake said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with SSC for the third consecutive year, and looking forward to an exciting competition. This collaboration is crucial for us as an organisation committed to fostering tennis in Sri Lanka, a premium sport loved by many avid sports enthusiasts. We are thrilled to contribute to this cause through one of the most anticipated tournaments in the country, alongside SSC, a renowned club with a strong sporting heritage in Sri Lanka. First Capital’s ‘Performance-First’ ethos perfectly aligns with SSC’s drive to always pursue excellence in every aspect of the game.”

The championship is being conducted under the purview of the governing body of the sport, the Sri Lanka Tennis Association, and organised by the SSC Tennis House Committee. It continues to maintain the traditions and culture of the Sinhalese Sports Club, a prestigious sporting entity that has contributed to the rise of multiple sporting stars throughout its 125-year journey.

This highly sought tournament has seen young talent showcase their potential in front of ardent crowds who have been mesmerised by their tennis prowess. Their victories have resulted in them being household names in the tennis community in Sri Lanka. Some have even used this as a stepping stone in moving on to test their abilities on the international stage. 

This year the championship will comprise girls and boys events from under 12 to under 18 (Singles and Doubles), Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, and Veterans events for over 35, over 45, and over 55 age groups. The tournament will be illuminated with dazzling play from prominent players such as the defending champion Saajida Razick, Davis Cup players Chathurya Nilaweera, Apna Perera and Thehan Wijemanne, Billie Jean King Cup players Vishmi Serasinghea, Dinethya Dharmaratne and Inuki Jayaweera, and rising star Dinara De Silva. This will also be a platform for the junior players to prepare for the upcoming World Juniors, Junior Davis Cup and Junior Billie Jean King Cup events.

Along with First Capital Holding, long-standing supporters of the SSC open Tennis championships, 3G Sports (Head Tennis Balls) and Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) along with Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) and Perera and Sons (P&S) have continued their support as the Co-Sponsors for this event. Yeti Hydration will be the official hydration partner.

Shehara Medawala serves as the tournament referee with Aruna Seneviratne and Chammika De Silva serving as tournament Directors.