Shuhei Anan, Chief Executive Officer, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) and Anil Obeysekara, Chairman, SLT, hand over the sponsorship cheque to Sports Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga and South Asian Games Sponsorships Committee Chairman, Nalin Attygala. (Pix by Nihal Chandrakumara)

With just 78 days left for the start of the 10th South Asian Games (SAG) in Colombo, the National Olympic Committee (NOC) secured a Rs. 50 million sponsorship from Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT).

The SAG will be held in Colombo from August 18-28 with the participation of over 2000 athletes from eight regional countries, in 19 disciplines.

This was revealed at a press conference held on Tuesday evening, minus NOC top officials who left for the Maldives to attend a SAG organizing committee meeting. Sports Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga, SLT representatives and some NOC members were present.

In its commitment to develop and strengthen relations between the member nations through sports SLT will contribute Rs. 50 million as the principal sponsor, behind the government which has granted Rs. 600 million towards the games.

"No doubt, we make profits as the leader in the communication industry in Sri Lanka and it’s our social responsibility to support the biggest multi-sporting event to take place in Sri Lanka," said SLT Chairman, Anil Obeysekera.

In addition to the financial commitment, SLT will provide various state of the art telecommunications facilities which could be utilized during the games.

Speaking at the press conference, Nalin Attygala, Chairman Sponsorships and Marketing Committee, thanked the sponsors for their generosity.

"I was given the task of collecting Rs. 300 million a month ago and I have managed to collect more than Rs. 150 million to date. I certainly appreciate SLT’s kind gesture," Attygala said.