Etisalat rings 3 year principal sponsor deal for SSC

Friday, 8 March 2013 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Etisalat Sri Lanka recently signed an agreement with the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC), one of Sri Lanka’s leading sports clubs, to become the principal sponsor of both the club and the team.

This three-year deal gives emphasis to the growing partnership between these two institutions who are widely known to be leaders of their respective fields. With this tie-up, SSC members will also benefit from special deals and promos on Etisalat Lanka’s wide range of innovative products and services.

Speaking about the extension of the partnership, Etisalat Sri Lanka Director/CEO Dumindra Ratnayaka stated: “This is a historic agreement for Etisalat Sri Lanka, as it is the first time that we have sponsored both the club and the team at the SSC.

“We are proud that the SSC, an outstanding institution with a glorious history of over 110 years, has chosen to partner with us for this period.” He added that with this, the SSC’s position as the premier sports club in Sri Lanka will be further reinforced.

Giving his views SSC President Tomy Ellawala stated: “We are thankful that Etisalat Lanka came forward to support the SSC. They have been working closely with us over the past few years and I look forward to our partnership of three years.”

He added that the tie-up will greatly benefit in further improvements of infrastructure and facilities available at the Club. “We firmly believe in giving the best possible facilities to our sporting teams and growing membership. With Etisalat’s help we will definitely be able to do so.”

SSC Chairman Samantha Dodanwela, also mentioned that, by Etisalat coming forward to sponsor SSC, it would definitely help them support young cricketers financially by way of providing contracts/incentives and will also enable them to secure new talent.

Formed in 1899, the SSC is a sports club steeped in tradition and rich history. The club’s cricket team, boasts several national cricketers of Sri Lanka, and has been a dominant force with numerous tournament victories over the years.

In the early 1980s, Sri Lanka Cricket’s headquarters was built on the SSC premises. SSC was also the venue of Sri Lanka’s maiden Test match as well as the country’s maiden Test win.

The club has witnessed some the finest performances in the history of international cricket, most notably the all-time Test record partnership of 624 runs by Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara against South Africa back in July 2006.

It is also noteworthy to mention that SSC became the only club in the country to win all three major tournaments conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket during one calendar year 2008. Among others, the club offers its members the best of sports facilities for Cricket, Tennis, Squash, Badminton and Swimming.