Janashakthi sponsor young rural athletes star at Asian Athletic meet

Eight young athletes sponsored by Janashakthi Insurance PLC under the insurer’s Annual Sponsorship program which aims to develop and nurture sporting talent in Sri Lanka are starring the ongoing 15th Asian Junior Athletic Championship in Colombo, one of Asia’s biggest sporting events. 

Among the eight young talented youth are Nayomika Jayatilaka (19 years) and Chamika Jayamini (19 years) from Sumana Balika Vidyalaya - Ratnapura, Pabasara Senanayake (18 Years – St. Joseph’s Girls School - Kegalle), Nimesha Siriwardena (17 years – Galenbindunuwewa Central College), R. Krithiha (15 years) from Matale, now studying at Girls High School - Kandy, R.M. Shiwanthi Kumari (17 years) from St. Joseph’s Girls School - Kegalle and Malin Udaya Kumara from Prince College Ratnapura.

Shiwanthi Kumari Ratnayake is captaining the team representing Sri Lanka and took the oath on behalf of all the Sri Lankan athletes while Nimesha Siriwardena carried the flame at the opening of the four day meet which took place on Saturday 09th June 2012, at the Sugathadasa Stadium.  

Janashakthi Insurance have been encouraging and assisting these promising young athletes, hand-picked for their talent and potential under the school athletes’ sponsorship for the last four years, supporting them to prosper and rise to new heights.

The insurer provided the selected young athletes with a monthly sponsorship plus incentive payments based on their individual performances, support with overseas travel if the athletes selected to compete in international events as well as training and technical guidance to further improve their skills and capabilities.

“Janashakthi decided to help rural athletes because it is our duty to provide encouragement for those who find it difficult to obtain sponsorship and support,” notes Chandra Schaffter, Deputy Chairman of Janashakthi Insurance PLC. “We are proud of these athletes’ achievements and it is a great privilege that Janashakthi has the opportunity to help them.”

During the past four years these athletes, have used the support extended by Janashakthi to become stars in their respective sports with all of them successfully competing at National Age group level meets. They have not only shown outstanding performance but have set several new records, proving their mettle and raising the bar for competition.

18 year old Pabasara Senanayake was adjudged the fastest school girl athlete and was the winner of the 100 and 200 meters Sprint event at all national level under 19 school meets.  Nayomika Gimhani has been unbeaten at the 400 meter Hurdles at all school level meets while Chamika Jayamini has been undefeated at school level in the 800 and 1500 age group events. Nimesha Siriwardena has similarly been undefeated at High Jump; she was also placed 4th at the Junior Commonwealth Games in the Isle of Man in September 2011.

“The objective of this initiative is to encourage and inspire young athletes to exceed their own expectations and bring glory and honor to Sri Lanka,” elaborates Bertal Pinto-Jayawardena, General Manager – Finance and Planning at Janashakthi, who is also the co-ordinator of the Athletes Sponsorship Project. “We are privileged to have embarked on this program since 2007 and I am confident that these children will perform extremely well in their respective events and contribute towards taking Sri Lanka forward as a force in athletics in the near future.”

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 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.