Janashakthi Insurance powers St Joseph's College Rugby

Janashakthi Insurance PLC, one of the largest general insurers in the island, recently signed up as the Principal Sponsor of the St. Joseph’s College Rugby Team for 2012 for the second consecutive year.

The agreement was signed by Prakash Schaffter, Managing Director of Janashakthi Insurance and Lalith De Mel, Chairman of St. Joseph’s Sport’s Counsel at an occasion at the Colombo Club, attended by many distinguished guests including Cuthbert Charls, Chief Executive of Hayleys Energy, Manik Pereira, Chairman of Pership (PVT) Ltd, both members of St Joseph’s College Rugby Supporters Association, Sumith Adihetty, Managing Director and  Chief Executive at LB Finance, Ajit Johnpillai, CFO at Brandix and Hiran Cooray, Chairman of Jetwing Group, all past pupils of St. Joseph’s College.  

Prakash Schaffter, speaking on the association, said that the Company is proud to sponsor the St. Joseph’s Rugby development, for the second consecutive year. Over the past 10 years Janashakthi’s has come forward to help and develop sports talent in Sri Lanka in many aspects.

The SJC rugby team was undefeated ‘B’ Division Champions in 2010 and also Cup Runners-Up at the Zahira 7’s Tournament 2010. The team was ranked seventh in the A division overall rankings for 2011. The young Under 16 and 14 teams too boast of high caliber players and were the Western Province Champions and All Island Runners-Up last year.

The 2012 1st XV team is captained by 19 year old No 01 Yohan Keyzer and is ably supported by Jason Melder who also is the team’s vice captain. The SJC rugby team 2012 is a well balanced team that comprise of six seniors this year. The team has explosive capabilities given a mobile and relatively big forward combined with the subtle and penetrative skills of its three’s, the team remains highly motivated and is expected to create a few upsets this season. The team is coached by Sunanda Fernando assisted by Tuan Boran, while Tiorn Shirly is the team’s trainer and physiotherapist strength and conditioning coach

Charls, Chairman St. Joseph’s College Hornets an pioneer founder of College rugby had this to say, “Josephian rugby is making great strides in it development efforts, this too over the last three years, and has reached new highest in 2012 with our young side playing quality rugby at ‘A’ division, this is indeed a pride to us all!! This achievement was made possible with active participation from the coaching staff, parents and old boys,” he further stated, “Janashakthi Insurance Sponsorship will be seen as an endorsement of St Joseph’s College development efforts and would also encourage in developing strong sportsman of character in this country.”

Rector of St. Joseph’s College Rev. Fr. Silvester Ranasinghe said “We’re thankful to Janashakthi Insurance for this very generous sponsorship. It will help us to upgrade our training equipment, invest in our players and further raise standards. St. Joseph’s College has always been at the pinnacle of excellence, be it in studies, sports or any other activity among popular schools in Sri Lanka.”

“Through its many gallant sportsmen over the years, the College has demonstrated its essential qualities of virtuousness, strength and honor on and off the field. Rugby, though not always gaining the success that it should have among popular sports at St. Joseph’s, has always churned out young Josephians who have not only been blessed with skill but have also been great ambassadors of their country, school, and for the game as a whole,” the Rector added.

Janashakthi Insurance has always encouraged and supported sportsmanship. Best known for its long association with cricket, the insurer has sponsored several Sri Lankan test cricket series during the past few years. Janashakthi has also just launched its annual Athletes Sponsorship Program for the third consecutive year in which eight outstanding outstation student athletes have come under its wing. The insurer has also extended its support to several other sports at national level such as hockey, squash, rowing and sailing thus reiterating its commitment to the long term development of sports in Sri Lanka.