Janashakthi Insurance supports rural athletes

As part of their ongoing initiative to support young and upcoming rural athletes in Sri Lanka, Janashakthi Insurance PLC selected six other school level athletes for the 'Outstanding Rural Athletic Sponsorship Programme 2013'. 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 6th 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 Janashakthi Outstanding Rural Athletic Sponsorship Programme 2013 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. The selected athletes 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 organizes motivational programmes throughout the year and offers personal guidance and encouragement before and after sports events. Janashakthi 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 at Bertal Pinto-Jayawardena, who is also the co-ordinator of the Athletes Sponsorship Project.

"We are privileged to have embarked on this programme 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".