Janashakthi inaugurates outstanding rural athletic sponsorship program 2013

Friday, 25 January 2013 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

As part of their ongoing initiative to support young and upcoming rural athletes in Sri Lanka, Janashakthi Insurance selected six other school level athletes for the ‘Outstanding rural athletic sponsorship program 2013’.

Janashakthi Insurance Deputy Chairman Chandra Schaffter, presenting the sponsorship to a young athlete while Janashakthi Insurance Finance and Planning General Manager and co-ordinator of the sponsorship project Bertal Pinto Jayawardena and former Sri Lanka Athletic Captain Damayanthi Dharsha look on

The new athletes hailing from Alaveddy Jaffna, Kahawatta, Mawathagama, Udawalawe, Bodaragama and Ambilipitiya will join the ranks of six other school level athletes and six athletes employed by Janashakthi.

This sponsorship marks the sixth consecutive year of the initiative which has seen all selected young sports stars prosper through the support and encouragement, that Janashakthi has offered them.

As Janashakthi celebrates its 18th year in the industry, the Insurance giant continues to support and nurture 18 young athletes.

The sponsorship program provides tailor-made sponsorship packages to the athletes in order to enable each athlete to overcome challenges.

The selected young athletes will receive a monthly sponsorship plus incentive payments specifically structured to improve on their individual performance. They will also receive technical guidance from the senior technical coach retained by Janashakthi especially for this purpose.

Extending support to ensure psychological wellbeing of the athletes, Janashakthi organises motivational programs throughout the year and offers personal guidance and encouragement before and after sports events.

The company ensures the young athletes a chance to join the company as contractual employees, thus presenting them an opportunity to gain a steady income while pursuing their sports careers.

“The objective of this initiative is to encourage and inspire young athletes to exceed their own expectations and bring glory and honour to Sri Lanka,” elaborates Janashakthi Finance and Planning General Manager Bertal Pinto Jayawardena, who is also the co-ordinator of the athletes sponsorship project. “We are privileged to have embarked on this program since 2007 and I am confident that these children will perform extremely well in their respective events and contribute towards taking Sri Lanka forward as a force in athletics in the near future.”

He further added, “These athletes performed extremely well last year. They proved their prowess, dedication and commitment at the junior Asian Athletic Championships.

“Janashakthi sponsored school athletes who shone in every event they participated by winning gold, silver and bronze medals.”