Star shuttler Sachin wins bronze at Youth Olympics

Friday, 12 September 2014 02:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ace shuttler Sachin Dias, who is sponsored by Alliance Finance, proved his talent by winning a bronze medal at the badminton mixed doubles event of the 2014 World Youth Olympics, which concluded in Nanjing China on 22 August. He was partnered by China’s Bing Jialo in the mixed doubles event. Alliance Finance will continue to provide Dias with financial assistance so that he can achieve his national and international goals. Hailing from St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, Dias emerged as the champion of the open singles event at the 2013 National Sports Festival, organised by the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA). He also won a gold medal at the 2013 Li-Ning Australian Junior International Championship, under the sponsorship of Alliance Finance. Sachin is considered a strong contender to represent the country at the 2016 Olympics as well. The sponsorship package offered by the company covers Sachin’s education, training, nutrition, medical requirements and expenses related to participation in national and international tournaments. When Alliance Finance identified his talent, he was ranked 600th in the world badminton rankings but with the support of Alliance Finance he has been able to gain sufficient overseas exposure to improve his global rankings to 32. AFC former Chairman Pratapkumar de Silva, whose alma mater was St .Sebastian’s College Moratuwa, identified Sachin’s unique talent at badminton and gauged his passion for the sport and initiated a program to sponsor him. Deputy Chairman Romani De Silva said “The sponsorship of this promising sportsman is another example of corporate stewardship by Alliance Finance in its role as a triple bottom-line focused business organisation. Sponsoring a promising Sri Lankan sportsman such as Sachin Dias and helping him realise his dreams is a key social responsibility initiative for our company,” he said. The company has also taken steps to provide Sachin with a career at Alliance Finance.