Releasing a statement, Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. (CBL) announced the sponsorship of the Ritzbury Sir John Tarbat Athletic Championship which begins with the Relay Carnival to be held on Saturday (24) at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Youth Asian double gold medallist Tharushi Karunaratne will be the chief guest at this year’s Ritzbury relay Carnival, the statement further noted.
The championship is being held for the 11th consecutive year, making it one of the longest-running athletic events in Sri Lanka’s sporting history which, the statement said, reaffirms the brand’s dedication to identifying and supporting young, aspiring athletes.
Ritzbury said it partnered with the Sri Lanka School Athletic Association (SLSAA) and announced the commencement of the championship at a press conference held yesterday (20) in Colombo.
The championship will kick off with the Ritzbury Relay Carnival 2023, taking place from 24-26 June at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, with the participation of more than 4,000 children representing 200 schools. The 51st Ritzbury Sir John Tarbat Athletic Junior Championship will encompass age groups ranging from under-12 to under-15, while the 91st edition of the Senior Championship will feature age groups of under-16, 18, and 20, each divided into male and female categories.
The John Tarbat Junior Athletics Stage 1 will subsequently take place at various locations, including the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy on 7 and 8 July, the Beliaththa D.A. Rajapaksa Stadium on 18 and 19 July, the Jaffna Municipal Grounds on 10 and 11 August, and the Bandaragama Public Ground from 19-21 August. It is estimated that over 20,000 students representing 600 schools across the country, regardless of race, ethnicity, or provincial divides, will participate in these events. The John Tarbat Senior Championship is scheduled to take place from 12-16 September, with the John Tarbat Junior Championship also taking place from 30 November to 5 December.
CBL Foods International (Pvt.) Ltd. General Manager – Marketing Nilupul de Silva expressed the brand’s dedication to fostering young sportsmen and women, stating: As the market leader in chocolates, Ritzbury is beyond honoured and privileged to partner with the Sir John Tarbat Athletic Championship once again. We believe in the potential of our young athletes and remain committed to supporting their journey to success.”
Sri Lanka School Athletic Association President Dr. Kusala Fernando expressed deep appreciation for Ritzbury’s sponsorship and highlighted its pivotal role in the championship’s success. “The support from Ritzbury is invaluable to the championship, ensuring its continued growth and prosperity. Over the years, Ritzbury has stood out as the key corporate entity responsible for the continued success of this sporting event, and it helps to develop the talents of young athletes scattered throughout the country,” said Dr. Fernando.
In addition to the Ritzbury Sir John Tarbet Athletics Championship, Ritzbury noted that it is known as an active supporter of a wide range of sporting events in Sri Lanka including the Vidudaya Ritzbury Swimming Championship, Ritzbury Junior National Squash Championship, Ritzbury Junior National Rugby Championship, and the SLTA Tennis Tens All-Island School Kids’ Tennis Play Day. All these efforts made by the confectionary brand showcase its commitment towards developing the skills of the nation’s youth through sports, the statement concluded.