Dialog Telekom PLC will sponsor the National Softball Cricket Championship 2009, the island’s premier annual softball cricket tourney.

Hosted by the National Softball Cricket Association, the tournament will feature 34 teams from 17 districts, with the initial knockout phase being worked off in Mawathagama (Kurunegala District), Batticaloa, Tangalle and Colombo districts. The winners and runners-up from these four divisions will then play for the Dialog Championship in the final round, which will be played on the 30th and 31st of May at the Chilaw Municipal Grounds.

Winners will receive Rs. 100,000 plus the trophy, the runner-up Rs. 75,000 plus the trophy, Man of the Tournament Rs. 30,000, Best Batsman, Best Bowler Rs. 20,000 each plus trophies.

"This is probably the best example of Dialog’s commitment to Sri Lankan sporting excellence at all levels," said Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Telekom PLC. "Tournaments such as these are vital for the development of talent and more importantly to give exposure to talented sportsmen and women who have not yet broken into the international or first-class scene. This would in turn help propel the sport to greater levels of achievement. Dialog will continue to foster softball cricket just like it does with many other sports in the country. We will deliver on our pledge to power Sri Lanka sports into the future," Dr. Wijesuriya stated.

Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Immediate Past President of the National Softball Cricket Association, said: "We take immense pleasure in welcoming Dialog Telekom as the sponsor for the National Softball Cricket Championship, and we see it as a much-needed support and encouragement for the game in this country. It offers both the players and the tournament’s organisers the necessary strength to raise their game to the next level and we are confident that many new stars would be born on the cricketing pitch. The National Softball Cricket Championship was conceived with a view to add to the development of the game in the country and we look forward to support from Dialog as we take it into the future."