127th 'Battle of the Blues' powered by Dialog GSM

CRICKET : Living up to its commitment to actively support local sports, Dialog GSM has stepped in again as the exclusive sponsor of the 127th Battle of the Blues to be played at the SSC grounds. This year's match will take place on the 9th, 10th and 11th of March while the one-day match will be held on the 18th of March.

"We are very pleased to be the exclusive sponsor of this event for the sixth year in succession. With this sponsorship Dialog emphasizes its support for sports in Sri Lanka starting at school level.

We believe in encouraging our youthful sports stars because, who knows? They could be the national sports stars of the future! For Dialog sponsorship like this are not part of a marketing strategy - they are evidence of our faith in the talent of our youth - we hope that other companies will follow our example and start supporting these young sports people who are just longing for that extra boost that will bring their true abilities to the fore! "said Nushad Perera, General Manager Sales and Marketing, Dialog GSM.

Speaking about the event, Captain Ajith Pieries, Chairman Royal, Thomian Match Joint organising Committee 2006 said. "The committee organising the event this year will provide better facilities to the spectators and will introduce time honoured traditions and niceties which will bring back a sense of sportsmanship among players, sporting behaviour among the crowds and nostalgia among all."

Dr. David Ponniah, Warden of S. Thomas' Mount Lavinia observed that at the match "The cricket is always intense, but always played in the highest standards of sportsmanship. The Thomians having won the last encounter must be prepared for the reaction from the Royalists who I am sure are going to come out fighting hard. We look forward to the 127th encounter and I send my best wishes to both teams..... Special mention must be made of the numerous sponsors who come forward to support the two schools in this, and in particular Dialog who have continued to provide significant sponsorship".

These sentiments were echoed by the Principal of Royal College, Upali Gunasekera, "An event of this magnitude cannot be successfully conducted year after year without the dedication shown by the joint organizing committees comprising old boys from both schools supported by present teachers and students. The cost of playing cricket at any level is increasing and we could not have staged this match without sponsors. To Dialog GSM we owe a big "thank you" for coming forward to sponsor this match for many years now. We look forward to their continued sponsorship in the years ahead".

2006 is a landmark year of the Battle of the Blues as it marks the launch of the official Royal Thomian website www.royalthomian.info. The website was launched by the Principal of Royal College and Warden of S. Thomas' College and is probably the first such site of this kind in Sri Lanka.

The site contains player profiles of both teams, past match statistics score cards/results, photo gallery, famous players articles, college songs and much more. Organizers of the event say that future plans include an online Souvenir shop.

The site will also enable the purchase of match tickets on line - a service which is hosted by Sampath Bank. A demonstration of purchasing on line was made, with the Managing Director Sampath Bank Mr. Anil Amarasuriya and Chief Executive Officer, Dialog GSM, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya making the first transaction. A unique feature on this service is that the customer will receive an acknowledgement by e-receipt immediately after the transaction.

Dialog GSM has been a prominent sponsor of Sri Lanka Sports and is committed to developing talent in Sri Lanka to International Standards.

The Company is closely associated with School Cricket, Athletics, Swimming, Volleyball, Rugby, Football, Rowing and Disabled sports, and has sponsored national contingents to the Olympics as well as international events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Asian Athletic Championships and SAF Games.

The company was the exclusive sponsor of the Sri Lanka Contingents to the Sydney and Athens Olympics and Paralympics.