An international rugby experience for fans at Bradby Fiesta 2016

From left: Bradby Fiesta Deputy Chairman Gayantha Weerakoon, 125th Anniversary Committee Chairman Mahen Perera, Royal College Union Secretary Athula Munasinghe, Royal College Principal B.A. Abeyrathna, Bradby Fiesta Chairman Rizan Nazeer, HSBC SL Head of Marketing & Communications Tharanga Gunasekara, Bradby Fiesta Deputy Chairman Boshana Dayaratne

As the ‘Lions’ clash with the ‘Elephants’ in their own backyard in the first leg of the 72nd Bradby Shield, the Royal College Union (RCU) has worked tirelessly to ensure that the third annual Bradby Fiesta scheduled to be held on 30 April will be nothing short of spectacular.

Chairman of the Bradby Fiesta Committee Rizan Nazeer stated: “As the Royal College Union celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, the Bradby Fiesta is scaling up to reach even greater heights than the last two events. This year’s fiesta will see an inclusion of an exclusive Rugby Zone with exciting rugby games courtesy of HSBC. Furthermore, former Wallaby Captain and HSBC Rugby Ambassador George Gregan will meet and greet rugby fans young and old at the HSBC Rugby Zone. This will be first time Sri Lanka will witness a world class Rugby Zone and rugby legend in one location. All this is made possible by HSBC, the main sponsor of the Fiesta for the third consecutive year.”

Head of Marketing and Communications for HSBC Sri Lanka Tharanga Gunasekera said: “Rugby is one of the popular sports supported by HSBC globally and we are delighted to leverage on our global rugby footprint as an international bank to introduce a world class rugby experience to fans here in Sri Lanka. The Rugby Zone is one that will be very similar for instance to that at the HSBC/Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sevens tournament and other global rugby tournaments experienced by ardent fans.”

Softlogic Holdings PLC will join in as one of the main sponsors of the Bradby Fiesta 2016 for the first time. Softlogic will bring in a diverse flavour to this exciting event by showcasing its impressive line up of consumer electronics from state of the art LED TVs, home theatre systems to mobile handsets, laptops and kitchen appliances. The stall will no doubt add colour to the day’s festivities. Ford, the iconic US automobile brand, would be present showcasing its line up of sought after vehicles from the Ford Everest to the Focus.

A special game zone for kids will be set up by Milo for the young ones to enjoy throughout the day.

The fiesta will kick off at 10 a.m. and go on until 12 midnight at the Bloomfield Grounds in Colombo. Trinity supporters who arrive in Colombo via train, will be received by Royal supporters and the ensuing comradeship and festive atmosphere will be sure to kick start the Bradby Fiesta in its true spirit. A number of five-star restaurants will be ready to dish out great food and beverages in true hawker street style, while Sri Lanka’s best known musicians – Black, Misty, Bathiya & Santhush, Sunil Perera, Corinne Almeida and Manilal -  will set the stage for an electrifying evening of nonstop live music. Adding to the entertainment will be DJ music, the Royal College drum fusion and the students’ band, which will also provide entertainment in addition to the various fun carnival rides.

The Bradby Shield encounter will be telecast live on LED screens at Bloomfield so that fans at the fiesta can join in the fun and cheer on their favourite team if one is unable to secure a ticket to enter the Royal College sports complex.

Furthermore, all HSBC credit cardholders will be allowed free entrance to the Bradby Fiesta. Other partners of the Bradby Fiesta 2016 include; Nestlé, CEAT, Elephant House Ice Cream & MyCola.

All Rugby lovers young and old are invited to witness undoubtedly the biggest ever rugby extravaganza in Sri Lanka.