Emirates treats for World Cup spectators in Colombo

Wednesday, 9 February 2011 00:15 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

  • Giant ‘Flying Catch’ inflatable to make its Sri Lanka debut at R. Premadasa Stadium
  • Gifts for fans waving Emirates fans
  • Match seat “upgrades” to lucky fans

As battle-ready teams limber up for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, Emirates, an Official Partner of the event, is readying special treats for spectators at venues across the subcontinent, including Sri Lanka.

Cricket lovers who flock to matches at Colombo’s R. Premadasa International Stadium will be offered an opportunity to win attractive gifts and upgrades to better seating by participating in fun activities that have become synonymous with Emirates-sponsored sporting events around the world.

Of these, the Emirates ‘Flying Catch,’ a giant signature red inflatable that looks like a children’s bouncy castle will grab attention during the quarter-final and semi-final matches scheduled for 26th and 29th March respectively. First introduced at the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England, the inflatable has a swiveling platform at its centre that acts as a launching pad for players to leap at tennis balls fired out of a bowling machine at speeds to challenge both adults and children.

Each contestant will receive five catches at different intensities and will accrue points. The winner over the course of time the Flying Catch is in operation at each of these matches will win a prize courtesy of Emirates.

At Group stage matches, branded Emirates fans will be distributed to spectators within the stadium, and those holding them would be requested to wave them at certain times. Winners will be chosen at random from those waving their fans to receive gifts from Emirates.

The ‘Emirates Upgrade,’ another activity that has become associated with Emirates’ involvement in sport and been activated at cricket, football and tennis events, will also take place at Group stage matches in Colombo. Roving Emirates representatives will select two people from the crowds at random to be upgraded to a premium match day experience, courtesy of the Airline.

Chandana de Silva, Emirates Area Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives said: “As an award winning Airline, Emirates strives to ensure that passengers are provided a superlative flying experience. We have applied the same concept to sports sponsorships, by focusing on enhancing the enjoyment and engagement of spectators.”

 “Emirates customers come from all walks of life and from six continents,” Devika Ellepola, Emirates Sales Manager in Sri Lanka added, pointing out that the airline carried 27.5 million passengers last year. “Every one of the fans who pack sports stadiums around the world is a potential customer, and our sports sponsorships and associated activities truly set Emirates apart,” she said.

 “Sport is a universal language that brings people together,” Mrs. Ellepola added. “As a global airline linking people in 110 destinations on six continents, Emirates has an opportunity to promote this aspect, and enhance the unifying power of sport by helping people get to and enjoy events like the ICC Cricket World Cup.”

Emirates is the official partner of the ICC Cricket World Cups of 2011 and 2015.  The third largest and most viewed sporting event in the world, the ICC World Cup 2011 takes place from Saturday 19th February to Saturday 2nd April in Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh.

Besides the ICC Cricket World Cup, Emirates also sponsors the ICC Champions Trophy, the ICC World Twenty20, the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, ICC Under-19 World Cup, ICC Intercontinental Cup and the ICC Women’s World Cup.

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