JAT Holdings sponsors Asian International School Rowing Team

JAT Holdings (JAT), the trusted and excepted name for introducing water based wood coatings ‘Sayerlack’ to the Sri Lankan market, is both honoured and privileged to partner the Asian International School as its enviable, comprehensive sponsor of the school’s Rowing Team.

Representing world-renowned brands Sayerlack Wood finishers from Italy, Permoglaze and Crown decorative Emulsion and Weather Coat Paints from the UK, Herman Miller Seating and desking solutions from the US and Norton Sand Paper – Saint Gobain from France, JAT has continued to make its presence felt by promoting the company and its brands to the mass market.

“Sports sponsorships are one of the main routes we are taking to achieve this goal. It has always given us great value and combined with the fact that it helps to build great sportsman and better Sri Lankans, we will continue to back sports,” said Aelian Gunawardena, Managing Director JAT Holdings.

Asian International School (AIS), an educational institution with a history of 25 years and amongst the top three international schools in Colombo has given sports an important place in the school’s curriculum in the past years, constantly stressing on the merits of enjoying a sport; sternly deriding cutthroat competition and never forcing extracurricular activities onto its students. Yet in spite of, or rather because of this, the school has reaped enormous success in a multitude of sports, from swimming and basketball to tennis and rowing.

“For us, it’s a constant battle, in a boat or out on the erg, against our mind. We have three choices, give in, give up or give it all you got. As oarsmen/women, we don’t have much choice other than keep going because of the feeling you get when you cross the finish line first- it’s priceless,” said Mahe Drysdale, Olympic Gold Medallist.

“Rowing is not just a sport. To anyone dedicated to it, rowing becomes a way of life. The constant challenge of the mind and body to continue to push ourselves to the absolute limit. This is rowing. A sport made to test the strength of humans in the harshest conditions in utmost discipline. And here at AIS the rowing crew follows this doctrine which is taught with every bit of discipline by our coach, Reshane Fernando, who has helped us accomplish much thus far,” said AISRC Captain Champaka Edirimanne.

Rowing is regarded as a Blue Ribbon Sport. Universities regard it as a worthwhile sport and as such many schools encourage it hence it was with no hesitation that JAT willingly came forward to be the sole sponsor of the promising young and talented oarsmen/women from AIS, which is also a member of the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka.

The 30th Sri Lankan Rowing National Championship for 2015 was conducted for the third consecutive year from 24 to 26 September on the newly developed 2000m course at the Diyawanna Oya and oarsmen/women took part in numerous events. 

Over 300 rowers from 15 institutions took part in the three day event. Coxed and Coxless Fours, Double Scull, Pair and Single Scull events were held in the open for over 18 and under 18 categories. This time around the battle intensified with schools, universities, rowing clubs and the three defence forces challenging each other to gain supremacy in the event. The event drew many rowing enthusiasts and spectators and the action was viewed from the Diyawanna Park, in front of which the finishing line is conveniently located.

Market leaders in our respective fields, we at JAT are elated at the prospect of seeing the AISRC Rowing team sporting the JAT and Herman Miller logos. May they stand testament to our spirit of gamesmanship, professionalism and the will to be victors in every venture we undertake as one in the future as partners in pursuance of perfection at every level.