Selyn weaving IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo athlete bags

When Sri Lanka Wonder of Asia IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo hits the streets and the seas in Colombo, it is not just about the sport, but about the people and partners involved in the journey, with one such partner being Selyn. 

Founded in 1991 by Sandra Wanduragala with 15 women in Kurunegala, Selyn is Sri Lanka’s only Fair Trade certified Handloom Company. Selyn works with over 1,000 members from the North Western and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, supporting rural communities and sustaining livelihoods through handmade, handcrafted, hand-woven goods made by women, therefore highlighting the strength and capabilities of the Sri Lankan woman. 

These are the exact qualities that the organisers of IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo were looking for, and therefore picked Selyn to make the goody bags for the 880 athletes participating in IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo. The bags are handmade, using raw cotton material on the outside and lined with a rice gunny bag, keeping in mind the sustainable aspect of IRONMAN, while a note on what Selyn is all about will be embedded on the bag so that the story of this amazing brand can linger in the hearts and minds of those who possess it. The bags will be handed over to the participants when they register for the triathlon. 

The materials for the bags are sourced locally, thereby ensuring that the local economy gains from the grassroots level, thanks to IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo. Not just the bag, but most or all of the material for the event will be locally sourced, staying true to what IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo believes in, which is strengthening and developing the local economy. 

IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo will brighten up the city on 25 February, which will feature a 1.9 km sea swim, a 90 km bike ride and a 21.1 km run to be completed within a period of seven hours.