Samaposha uplifts young Sri Lankan athletes

Sole-Sponsor of North-Central province Schools Sports Meet 2016

Dedicated to uplifting Sri Lankan sports and supporting the development of young athletes, Samaposha, the leading nutrition brand of Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd., a subsidiary of Ceylon Biscuits was the sole sponsor of the recently concluded North-Central Provincial Schools Sports Meet 2016.

Held at the Anuradhapura Stadium, the event featured the participation of over 286 Schools, 7000 athletes and 120 judges from the North-Central areas. This annual event was organized by the dedicated Education Department team of the North Central Province. The festival was ceremoniously opened by Governor of the North-Central Province, P.B. Dissanayake and Hon. Chandima Gamage, Member of Parliament for the Anuradhapura District was the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony.

Sporting events for age groups from under 11 to 21 were conducted at the festival which comprised of a series of athletic events and also group competitions including volleyball, football, netball, cricket and elle. School children in the province who had performed well during their individual school sporting meets represented their schools and winners were selected from each age category.

Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa created sporting history by winning the overall championship of the festival. This is the first time in 25 years that the school has been able to achieve this victory. While trophies and certificates were presented to all winners, a notable moment during the Meet was the recognition afforded to all the coaches of the winning athletes. They too received certificates of merit for their role in supporting the development of promising athletes.

Hemantha Abeykoon, Deputy Education Director – Health and Physical Sports Education of North-Central Province, thanking Plenty Foods noted, “We’re grateful and appreciative of Plenty Food’s support as sole sponsor of this annual event. Through their involvement we have been able to elevate this year’s event showcasing the talents of thousands of school children in our province and identify budding stars. Samaposha is a truly national product helping to enhance the nutritional aspect of our school children and its involvement in this festival helps us support young enthusiastic athletes to compete at their highest potential.”

As part of its commitment to nutrition, health and wellness supporting the development of future athletes, Samaposha also organized a stall at the event where all participants has access to its products providing both nutrition and energy during the festival. Over the years, Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd has worked extensively in the North-Central province. Through its dedicated out-grower network of over 8000 farmers, many who live and work in the North Central areas, benefit from the effective programme by being employed in the manufacturer of Samaposha.

Shammi Karunaratne, Director/CEO – Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd said, “Samaposha is recognised as a homegrown Sri Lankan product, manufactured to meet the nutritional needs of our citizens and children. As sole sponsor of this important sporting meet we wished to contribute towards uplifting the sporting talents of children in the North-Central province and also recognise their families, especially the farmers who provide high-quality raw materials securing the company’s supply chain for the manufacture of Samaposha.”

Plenty Food is committed to help the farmers through good agricultural practices and assist them in receiving a greater harvest and financial. In addition, the company has created a corporate welfare programme to assist the farmers who works towards providing our children with nourishment. Inaugurated by the Organization in 2012, the ‘Govi Pawula’ programme is a unique scheme comprising of Govi Sathuta’, ‘Govi Sarana’, Govi Denuma’ and ‘Govi Arana’ which works towards providing them assistance in times of need and supporting and strengthening their livelihoods.