MAS signs up as official clothing partner for Paris Olympic Games, launches MAS Athlete Training Academy

Inaugural batch of MAS Athlete Training Academy along with officials from NOCSL, SLAA, SLOA, officials of ministries, and leadership of MAS Holdings 

Unveiling and handing over kit for Team Sri Lanka for Paris Olympic Games 2024 (from left): Bodyline CEO Dinesh De Silva, flag bearer Dilhani Lekamge, NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam, MAS Holdings CEO Suren Fernando, Marie-Noëlle Duris, MAS Holdings Group Product Transformation Officer Dilshan Mohamed

Signing of NOCSL and MAS agreement (from left): NOCSL Secretary Maxwell De Silva, Bodyline CEO Dinesh De Silva, NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam

Symbolic handover of MAS Athlete Training Academy certificate and kit to H.M. Nethmika Madushani Herath by Co-Founder and Chairman Deshamanya Mahesh Amalean

• Official Olympic podium kits designed by MAS unveiled for Paris Olympic Games 2024
• MAS Athlete Training Academy inaugurated in collaboration with Sports Ministry, Education Ministry, NOCSL, SLAA, and SLOA
• 56 student-athletes admitted to Academy based on performance at all-island level

MAS Holdings has come forward to be the official clothing partner of Team Sri Lanka for the Paris Olympic Games 2024. 

At the announcement ceremony, the official kits were handed over to the Sri Lanka Olympic contingent. The event coincided with the inauguration of the MAS Athlete Training Academy, an initiative by MAS to identify, develop, and support young athletes to successfully represent Sri Lanka at future Olympic Games.

The event was graced by the presence of Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) has announced its final contingent for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games 2024. This year’s six-member contingent comprises of three athletes – Dilhani Lekamge, Tharushi Karunaratne, and Aruna Dharshana, two swimmers – Kyle Abeysinghe and Ganga Seneviratne, as well as one badminton player – Viren Nettasinghe who will all be first time Olympians.

Members of the Sri Lankan contingent were felicitated by MAS Holdings Co-Founder and Chairman Deshamanya Mahesh Amalean, who said: “Following some of the most turbulent times in our nation’s history, we believe that it is important to tend the flame of Sri Lanka’s Olympic spirit now more than ever and help inspire a new generation of Sri Lankans to pursue greatness on a global stage. We wish this year’s national contingent success in Paris and call on all Sri Lankans to rally behind each of these inspiring young athletes.”

The contingent kits were designed by Bodyline Ltd., a subsidiary of MAS. The designs were inspired by the ancient Sri Lankan martial art form Angampora, depicted in the ancient carvings at the Embekke Temple.

Speaking about the Academy, NOCSL President Suresh Subramanium said: “Participating in the Olympic Games is a dream for any athlete. It is crucial for us to inspire the next generation of Olympians, and looking at this year’s contingent we can show them that this dream can become a reality. We are confident in the potential of the Academy to bring out the best in our athletes in the years ahead.”

MAS Athlete 

Training Academy

Established through a Rs. 650 million investment over an eight-year period, the MAS Athlete Training Academy inaugurated by MAS, represents Sri Lanka’s single largest public-private-partnership in athletics development. This is a partnership with the Sports Ministry, the Education Ministry, the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), the Sri Lanka Athletics Association (SLAA), and the Sri Lanka Olympian Association (SLOA).

The Academy uses a comprehensive process to identify and nurture talented athletes from school-level upwards. This includes a holistic development program combining focused training, world-class athletic gear, international exposure, nutritional and educational support, with funds and equipment provided directly to athletes and their respective coaches.

“Sports play a crucial role in the holistic development of our young people, fostering physical health, mental well-being, and essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience. This training academy is an impressive commitment towards the development of young Sri Lankan athletes both on and off the field. Such efforts are crucial in inspiring the next generation,” Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

The first group of 56 high-performing athletes selected to the Academy were present at the event with their parents, respective coaches, and school principals to receive their certification. Their ongoing performance and training metrics will be tracked by the academy using a best-in-class digital app to strengthen their competitiveness and encourage continuous improvement.

The Academy is the most significant in a series of efforts by MAS to support athletes and develop sports in Sri Lanka. Most recently, Bodyline signed on as the official clothing partner for Sri Lanka Athletics, from 2024 through to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. MAS’ adaptive clothing brand, Lable, also supports the Sri Lanka Paralympic Association with specially designed adaptive performance wear for the Sri Lankan para-athletes.