Allianz to continue passion for junior football in Sri Lanka

Wednesday, 4 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Allianz Lanka, the fully owned subsidiary of the largest insurance conglomerate in the world, Munich based, Allianz S.E. have stepped in once again to provide world class coaching experience for two deserving youth footballers at FC Bayern Munchen in Germany. Last year Allianz Lanka created opportunity to local youth football players to represent Sri Lanka, at Allianz Junior Football Camps held in Germany and Thailand.

This year’s hunt for two deserving youth footballers will be selected via a country wide appeal for applications through mainstream media. Further, Allianz staff in 50 branch locations in the country will be engaged in sourcing candidates for this once in a life time opportunity for passionate youth football players in Sri Lanka. The applications can be sourced from www.allianz.lk and duly completed applications forms should be handed over to any of the Allianz branches island-wide or send it through post to Allianz Global Junior Football Camp 2014, Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd., No. 92, Glennie Street, Colombo 2 on or before 25 June. The shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview on 10 July for final selections. The selection panel will consist of senior Allianz officials and a football expert. The two candidates will be selected on the basis of passion for football, ambition, character, sports achievements. The two young footballers are billed to join another 100 of youth from 30 countries in Munich from 20 to 25 August to represent the 6th Allianz Global Junior Football Camp 2014. Whilst parental and school authorities’ approval is a prerequisite for the selected participants, Allianz Lanka will bear the cost of the overall program, which includes travelling and visa processing. Once in a lifetime experience Allianz Lanka, as the fastest growing insurance service provider in Sri Lanka has laid a unique foundation for brand building efforts through sustainability platform to create good word of mouth, to supplement the ambitious strategy driven by retail consumers in urban/semi urban geographies in the country. Last year, Isuru Weerasinghe and Roshen Subash from Badulla Central College and Holy Cross College, Kalutara were the beneficiaries of training at FC Bayern Munchen in Munich, Germany. Roshen, a star national junior football player in the country commented: “Participating in the Allianz Global Junior Football Camp last year, was a wonderful thing. I learnt a lot from FC Bayern Munchen coaching staff. Training and making friends alongside 75 fellow players from 23 countries was a great learning. It was a once in a lifetime experience.” Further, Ranju Silva and Abdul Afrar from De Mazenod College Kandana and Jamaliya Central College, Trincomalee represented Sri Lanka, at the Thailand coaching camp.

Allianz Lanka Chief Executive Officer Surekha Alles said: “Allianz truly understands the role of sports in creating a sustainable living and a just society. As a global giant Allianz takes pride in connecting FC Bayern Munchen expertise to local stars. Last year we realised the value of providing opportunities for our local stars and international exposure cultivates stronger belief systems to bring out the best of human potential. Through this program we connect our staff in 50 branches island-wide with the wider community we serve with our Life and Non-Life global insurance products and services. It’s the good word of mouth that creates relationships for us and we continue to serve the nation with our sustainability platform of Paralympics support, My Finance Coach education program of debt management and our love and passion for football.” The winners will be declared on 16 July at a press briefing, where last year’s Allianz Junior Football stars will join this year’s winners to address the media.