Airtel Lanka continues to scrum St. Peter’s College rugby

Monday, 24 March 2014 00:52 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, today announced the renewal of its partnership for the year 2014 as the principle sponsor of the St. Peter’s College Rugby team. Having supported rugby at St. Peter’s since 2012, the partnership renewed for the third consecutive year further fortifies Airtel Lanka’s position as a global telecommunications giant keen on supporting and uplifting school sports in the island. St. Peter’s College was the fourth school to play Rugby at a competitive level in Sri Lanka. Shirley Illesinghe brought the first victory to St Peter’s

in 1934. This historic match was played against Royal College with a win of 5-0. In 2013 the St. Peter’s rugby team made its mark by winning the All-Island Under-18 and Under–20 Inter-School Rugby Sevens Championships and was placed third in the League Championships. In the year 2014, the St. Peter’s Rugby team has already won the Under 18 Interschool Rugby 7s Championships and made it to the Semi Finals in the Under 20 category. Currently the St. Peter’s Rugby team is placed in Division 1, Group A and are looking forward to an exciting season this year. St. Peter’s last won the Inter-school Rugby League Championship in the year 2010. Commenting on the renewal of sponsorship Bharti Airtel Sri Lanka CEO Suren Goonewardene said: “Airtel Lanka has always placed great emphasis on promoting our brand through dynamic and energetic sponsorships and a game such as Rugby fits perfectly with our attempt. Rugby is played passionately by the youth of our country and Airtel Lanka as a leading supporter of Sri Lankan sports is proud to be a part of nurturing sports and sportsmen and women from a very young age. We see a great amount of potential and energy in the St. Peter’s College Rugby team. Therefore we indeed very pleased be their sponsor for the third time and wish them all the very best for yet another successful season.” “St. Peter’s College is privileged to have Airtel supporting the rugby team yet again this year. Rugby at College has improved tremendously during the last few years and we intend working towards a successful season this year as well. While I wish to thank Airtel for their constant support and encouragement I hope they continue to be associated with College Rugby and assist us to take St. Peter’s College sports to new heights,” stated St. Peter’s College Rector Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin. Airtel Lanka made its foray into the field of sports sponsorships in the year 2012 through its associations with Manchester United and football, rugby, tennis, golf, rowing and basketball. The company has been involved in the development of sports, as evidenced by its various sponsorships at school level, district level and island wide. While Airtel Lanka continues to be involved beyond just a mere investment with all its sports sponsorships stakeholders, it is committed to developing local talent to international standards, thus contributing actively towards the positive development of youth in Sri Lanka.