SriLankan looking to bask in global limelight with Carlton Super 7s 2013
Friday, 2 August 2013 00:00
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SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, is the official airline of this year’s most spectacular sports event – the Carlton Super 7s 2013. With the last and most intense episode of the game is ready to unfold in Colombo on 2 and 3 August after its sensational kick-off, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Nishantha Wickremasinghe spoke of the airline’s aspirations to take Sri Lanka to the world through endorsing sports events with international participation.
“We see a great advantage in promoting sports tourism where there is international participation. When it comes to SriLankan, Carlton Super 7s is a win situation for the country as well as for the airline which is at the forefront of bringing high-ranking players and fans to the country.”
Carlton Super 7s is a red-letter event in the country’s rugby calendar, organised by Tharunyata Hetak Organisation under the supervision of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) and the International Rugby Union.
This year, the tournament has become a star-studded event with 52 foreign players and coaches tackling their way to the top along with the local favourites. Jaffna Challengers, led by Sajith Saranga and coached by Kenya supremo Mike emerged champions of the first leg by beating North Western Blacks last Friday.
Speaking of the participation of the famed names of the game, Wickremasinghe said: “It is a great opportunity for the country to be hosting these top-end players from England, New Zealand and America. The participation of the international players means the inevitable presence of the international media. This is a kind of a global media penetration that can amply benefit both the country and the airline.”
Wickramasinghe is hopeful that the international media would serve as the best vehicle to promote the airline’s brand among the sports-enthusiastic youth all over the world. “This is the kind of channel marketing through which we can reach to the future end-users through our branding,” he added.
Talking about the development of the tournament, he said: “Since its inception, Carlton Super 7s has been attracting global attention with the increasing number of international players and coaches. As a partner that has been present ever since the birth of Carlton, we are happy to be a part of the success it is enjoying today.”
SriLankan Airlines has been playing a pivotal role in many sporting events with a global appeal such as surfing and golf that see many foreign sports-lovers and players arriving in the island to experience the thrills and jolts of the game.
Talking about the future projects, Wickremasinghe stated: “We believe there is a need to reach to the grass-root levels. We have been a part of the national surfing contest for many years and we are looking at sports like cycling and volleyball through which we can reach to our people, who could very well be our customers and potential customers. We also consider it to be a service to the country.”
“As the national carrier, we are committed to taking Sri Lanka to the world whilst branding and promoting SriLankan Airlines throughout the world. We will continue to play a vital role in Sri Lankan tourism promotional activities in time to come,” he added.
