Janashakthi launches Annual Athletes Sponsorship Programme 2011

Janashakthi Insurance PLC launched its annual Athletes Sponsorship Programme for 2011, thus continuing this project for the third consecutive year.

Seated (from left) : Bertal Pinto-Jayawardene (General Manager - Finance & Planning, Janashakthi Insurance PLC), Prakash Schaffter (Managing Director, Janashakthi Insurance PLC), C. T. A. Schaffter (Deputy Chairman, Janashakthi Insurance PLC), Yogananda Wijesundara (Senior Athletic coach), Ravi Liyanage (General Manager - Sales & Marketing, Janashakthi Insurance PLC). Standing (from left:) :  Thurailingam Balakumar, Nayomika Jayathilake, R. A. Chamika Jayamini, Ishara Dayananda, Shanmukarasa Thanusha, Amali Wijeysinghe, R. A. K. P. Madumanthi, T Anusha, D. Hiruni Disala Weerasekara, Medhani Wickramanayake, H M Nimesha Madushani Siriwardene and S. R. J. Pabasara Senanayake.

Under this programme 08 outstanding outstation student athletes will receive a monthly sponsorship, an incentive payment based on individual performances and overseas travel assistance for any international meets for which they are selected through 2011. In addition they will also be supported with training guidance, technical advice and other such support to enhance their young careers.

The selected athletes are namely:

Ishara Dayananda (18 Yrs. Ferguson Girls High School, Ratnapura. Sprinter & Hurdler),

Nayomika Jayatilaka (17 Yrs. Sumana Balika Vidyalaya, Ratnapura. 400 meter Hurdler and Sprinter),  

Medhani Wickramanayake(14 Yrs. Sri Sangamiththa Balika National Vidyalaya, Matale. Junior Sprinter)       

S. Thanusha (18 Yrs. Arunodaya College, Jaffna. Pole Vault)                                   

Nimesha Siriwardena (15 Yrs. Galenbidunuwewa Central College, Galenbidunuwewa. High Jump).                                      

Chamika Jayamini (17 Yrs. Sumana Balika Vidyalaya, Ratnapura. Long Distance Runner).

Pabasara Senanayake (16 Yrs. St. Joseph’s Girls School, Kegalle. Sprinter)  

Thurailingam Balakumaran (19 Yrs. Hartley College, Point Pedro. Pole Vault)                                         

Ishara Dayananda, Nayomika Jayatilaka, Chamika Jayamini, Nimesha Siriwardene, S Thanusha and Medhani Wickramanayake have been re-extended while Thurailingam Balakumar has been selected based on performances and economic challenges that have been overcome during 2010. All of the above have recorded outstanding and consistent performances during 2010 and have remained mostly unbeaten in their age groups. They are all award winners and seven of the nine are age-group record holders.

During the year under review the Janashakthi sponsored athletes recorded an outstanding year.

Ishara Dayananda, was adjudged the Best Athlete (U20) at four Championships, namely, the Women’s Athletic Championships, the National Youth Sports Festival, the Junior National Championships, and the Senior John Tarbat Premier Athletic Championships. She was voted as Most Popular Schools Athlete at a competition jointly organised by the Ministries of Sports and Education. Ishara was also adjudged the Best Athlete of U20 category for three consecutive years from 2008 to 2010 at the National Youth Sports Festival. In addition she established new Meet Records in all three events (100M, 200M and 100M hurdles) at the Sabaragamuwa,Provincial Meet, was Best Athlete – U19 and  Best Athlete of the Meet.

Nayomika Jayathilake was the U18 Best Athlete at Womens’ Championships and Best Hurdler at the Junior National Championships. She established new meet records in 400 M Hurdles at the All Island School Games and the Junior National Championships.

Pabasara Senanayake was the Best Athlete – Sabaragamuwa Province, Best Athlete in track events at the All Island School Games and Best Athlete of the Meet at the All Island School Games.

Nimesha Siriwardene was the Best Athlete U17 at the North Central Province, Best Athlete U17 at the Provincial School Games and Best Athlete of the meet - Provincial School Games.

Chamika Jayamini established a new meet record in U20 1500 metres at the Junior National Championships.

Deputy Chairman of Janashakthi and a former All-Ceylon Cricketer and Hockey player C. T. A. Schaffter, was Chief Guest while Mr. Yogananda Wijesundara, a renowned technical expert in athletics was Guest of Honour. Ms. Chandrika Subashini, Sri Lanka’s current leading female athlete participated as a special guest.

Schaffter stressed the need for commitment, dedication, training and emphasised the need for “clean” competitiveness, where one gave of one’s best, that was developed through training and did not need to depend on illegal substances to win!

Speaking on the occasion, JIC Managing Director Prakash Schaffter said that the Company was happy to sponsor Sri Lanka’s budding athletes for the third consecutive year and thus be instrumental in the country’s future success in athletics. He further stated that Janashakthi was extensively supporting sports development in Sri Lanka, in particular Cricket, Hockey, Rowing, Sailing, Squash and Athletics.

The co-ordinator of the Janashakthi Athletic Sponsorship Project Bertal Pinto-Jayawardena, General Manager – Finance & Planning, highlighted that this was yet another contribution from Janashakthi Insurance towards nation building. He added that the company had very high expectations from the current group of athletes who are a part of the Janashakthi family. It is expected that some of these outstanding school level athletes will, in the very near future, bring glory to Sri Lanka on the international stage.

These athletes have publicly attributed the support and encouragement by Janashakthi as being a significant reason for their success in 2010. Janashakthi also has in employment 04 other outstanding National Athletes namely, Priyangika Madumanthi (Sri Lanka and South Asian high jump record holder), T. Anusha (put shot and discuss record holder at schools level), Amali Wijesinghe (a champion hurdler) and Hiruni Weerasekara (long and triple jump record holder at schools level).