Dialog extends Sri Lanka cricket team sponsorship
SLC President Shammi Silva (3rd from left) and Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC, Supun Weerasinghe (3rd from right) exchanging the agreement document in the presence of Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa
Dialog Axiata renewed its commitment with
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), as they sealed the rights as the official national team sponsor of Sri Lanka cricket team for next three years. The mobile telecommunication operator had earlier been the main sponsor of the national cricket team in both inbound and outbound tours, for seven years.
In the latest development, they have secured the full rights of the national cricket team in its inbound and outbound tours for the next three years for Rs. 503 million. But according to credible information the amount may be altered and is yet to be finalised officially.
When Dialog made its bid earlier this year after the term ended, they entered into a sponsorship agreement with SLC that would only cover the national team’s inbound tours. But both parties met for a final round of discussion last month to negotiate on covering the national team’s outbound tours as well.
“Committed to empowering the homegrown talent of sportsmen and sportswomen at national and international level, Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, will continue its long-standing partnership with SLC till 2023 as the ‘Official National Team Sponsor of Sri Lanka Cricket’. Dialog will help enable the growth of both men’s and women’s national cricket teams across all forms of the game,” a media communiqué issued by Dialog Axiata stated.
Beginning its initial term of sponsoring the national cricket team on June 1, 2013, Dialog will now continue as sponsor of SLC until September 2023, forging an alliance that would run for a decade.
The sponsorship deal was finalised between SLC officials Shammi Silva (President), Chryshantha Kapuwatte (Assistant Secretary) and Ashley de Silva (CEO) and a delegation from Dialog Axiata comprising Supun Weerasinghe (Group Chief Executive) and Amali Nanayakkara (Group CMO) with Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Namal Rajapaksa and the Secretary to the Ministry Anuradha Wijekoon standing as witnesses last week.
“As the official national team sponsor, it is with great pride that we extend this decade-long commitment with Sri Lanka Cricket. Our customers have honoured us by establishing Dialog as Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, serving over 15 million consumers, homes and enterprises with our portfolio of mobile, broadband, fixed and digital television services, and it is a singular privilege to join our customers and fellow Sri Lankans in their passion for cricket and the quest for continued excellence in the international arena,” said Supun Weerasinghe.
“SLC is looking forward to working together with Dialog in order to provide greater value to our sponsors whilst delivering on our reputation for excellence on and off the field,” said Shammi Silva.
In addition Dialog Axiata also sponsors the national rugby, volleyball and netball teams. Dialog also closely associates with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, club rugby, Premier Football, schools’ cricket, junior volleyball and Paralympic sports – whilst also powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games and the Sri Lankan contingent to the Olympic and World Paralympic Games.