Cricket Fiji and Lici Continue Partnership
LICI General Manager Krishnan Narasimhan announced at a press conference held at the LICI offices in Suva today, that the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LICI) has extended their sponsorship of the LICI Cricket Fiji Easter Tournament and the LICI Cricket Fiji Annual Awards to 2013.
Mr Narasimhan told the gathered media about the outstanding success LICI had sponsoring cricket on television via the ICC World Cup.
"The overwhelming success of last year's Easter tournament and CF awards dinner meant that it was a natural progression to extend the sponsorship of cricket in Fiji," said Narasimhan.
"Obviously we are huge fans of the sport and we are committed to assisting Cricket Fiji promote and develop the talent that we know exists in Fiji and give people the opportunity to progress. I am a firm believer that Fiji will produce a cricketer capable of playing at the highest level of the game in the future," continued Narasimhan.
"We have always been strong supporters of local sport in Fiji and we are excited extending this partnership."
Jon Symonds CEO of Cricket Fiji was also positive about the partnership.
"The extension of the sponsorship with such a prestigious and large company in Fiji represents a big milestone in Cricket Fiji's progress. Last year's event was a tremendous success with local Fijian cricket screened live for the first time and over 3000 people turning up to watch the final. Clearly we have provided value to our sponsors and Cricket Fiji are delighted LICI have agreed to extend the sponsorship as it provides much benefit to the development of the game in Fiji."
"There is a natural fit between LICI and Cricket Fiji because we have similar values," said Symonds.
Further to that, Cricket Fiji is delighted to announce that LICI have agreed to extend the sponsorship of our Cricket Fiji annual awards dinner.
"Last year was a fantastic event with our patron His Excellency the President of Fiji Epeli Nailatikau wowing the 120 + guests with stories of his cricket playing days, as well as allowing us to acknowledge the efforts that are made by so many people such as players, coaches, volunteers and administrators across all the islands of Fiji in the development and playing of cricket," said Symonds
The captain of the Fiji Men's National Team Jo Rika says the extended agreement will be of huge benefit to the development of the game in Fiji.
"The sponsorship ensures that cricket Fiji can hold competitions of a high standard as it brings the best players from all over Fiji together and play strength versus strength cricket, only by strengthening our domestic cricket will we strengthen our men's team and a sponsorship such as this helps a great deal in allowing us to deliver our goals," said Rika.
The LICI Cricket Fiji Easter Tournament will run from the 3-9 April this year with the full day's coverage of the finals day on TV expected to be announce shortly.
The LICI Cricket Fiji annual awards evening will take place on Saturday the 7th April at the Novotel Lami, tickets are available for purchase by ringing the Cricket Fiji office on 3304711.