20 of June 2023, Colombo: Ritzbury; Sri Lanka’s favourite chocolate brand of Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL); will serve as the sole sponsor of the prestigious Ritzbury Sir John Tarbat Athletic Championship for the 11th consecutive year. The Championship is one of the longest running athletic events in Sri Lanka’s sporting history and reaffirms the brand’s dedication to identifying and supporting young, aspiring athletes. Ritzbury partnered with the Sri Lanka School Athletic Association (SLSAA) and proudly announced the commencement of the championship at a press conference held on June 20th, 2023, at the Taj Samudra, Colombo.
The championship will kick off with the Ritzbury Relay Carnival 2023, taking place from June 24th to 26th at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, with the participation of more than 4000 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 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 July 7th and 8th, Beliaththa D.A Rajapaksa Sta dium on July 18th and 19th, Jaffna Municipal Grounds on August 10thand 11th , and the Bandaragama Public Ground from August 19th to 21st . 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 September 12th to 16th, with the John Tarbat Junior Championship also taking place from November 3rd to 5th .
Nilupul de Silva, General Manager, Marketing of CBL Foods International Pvt Ltd., 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.”
Dr. Kusala Fernando, President of the Sri Lanka School Athletic Association, 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 Ritzbury Sir John Tarbet Athletics Championship, Ritzbury 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 TennisPlay Day. All these efforts made by the much-loved confectionary brand showcase its commitment towards developing the skills of the nation’s youth through sports.