Thursday, 12 February 2015 01:04
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Rs. 27 million sponsorship for three more years; extends support to teams of all age groups
Kia, the iconic Korean automobile brand, has enhanced its support of Royal College’s rugby development program with a larger, three-year commitment.
Entering its fourth year in 2015, Kia’s sole sponsorship of Royal’s rugby will now go beyond the first XV to include the Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 rugby teams of Royal College, in an effort to support the college’s current and future requirements in the sport.
KIA’s new sponsorship agreement was formally signed at the Royal College Skills Centre by the directors of KIA Motors (Lanka) Ltd. and the Chairman and members of the Royal College Rugby Advisory Committee.
As sole team sponsor, KIA will have branding rights for the warm-up and match jerseys of the Royal College rugby teams in all the age groups covered at all inter-school games and tournaments.
Addressing the media at the signing of the sponsorship agreement, KIA Motors (Lanka) Managing Director Mahen Thambiah said: “Kia is a brand that has a strong association with sport on a global scale. At the local level, our involvement with Royal College rugby over the past three years has given us a lot of pleasure, as it mirrors our position in the market, where the brand is seen as dynamic, versatile, stylish and youthful.
“We also believe in long-term commitment, which is why, after sponsoring the 1st XV for three years, Kia has extended its support to the Royal College Rugby Development Fund for three more years and widened the scope of the sponsorship to encompass the younger players,” Thambiah said.
Royal College’s rugby history dates back to 1916. Two of the most eagerly anticipated annual rugby fixtures on the schools rugby calendar, for the Bradby Shield and the Michael Gunaratne Trophy, involve Royal College and archrivals Trinity College and S. Thomas’ College respectively.
On the world sporting stage, KIA is the main sponsor of the Australian Open tennis championship, a FIFA partner and was the sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players of the modern era, is KIA’s Global Brand Ambassador. Other sports-related sponsorships of the Korean car brand include a five-year deal for exclusive naming rights with the historic Oval ground, primary shirt sponsorship of the Surrey County Cricket Club and support for US basketball as official automotive partner of the NBA.
KIA Motors (Lanka) Ltd. has represented the KIA brand in Sri Lanka since 1996.
