Paralympic Movement in line for Allianz Lanka support

The Paralympic Movement in Sri Lanka is set to receive financial and non-financial support from Allianz Lanka. Sri Lanka will be the ninth among the 70 countries in the Allianz network to actively support the Paralympic Movement locally.

As a first step, Allianz jointly with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will conduct a workshop to help the NFSD formulate a strategic plan for governing Paralympics in Sri Lanka. Allianz Lanka will also support the National Federation of Sports for the Disabled (NSFD) to prepare for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Summer Games and to create greater awareness and acceptance of Paralympics in Sri Lanka. The announcement was made in the presence of 30 Sri Lankan para-athletes and members of the National Federation of Sports for the Disabled (NSFD) executive council, who warmly welcomed the Allianz initiative. Brigadier Rajitha Ampemohotti, President, Insurance Conglomerate Allianz will bring its international partnership with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to Sri Lanka through a partnership between fully-owned subsidiary Allianz Lanka and Sri Lanka’s National Federation of Sports for the Disabled (NFSD).

Allianz has been committed to the Paralympic Movement, its athletes, values and ideals since 2006 through a partnership with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the German National Paralympic Committee. In 2011, Allianz became the first International Partner of the IPC and a National Supporter of various National Paralympic Committees including Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland and Turkey. The contract with the IPC was extended this year to 2016.

Joe Gross, Global Head of Group Market Management, Allianz SE said, “Our partnership with the IPC has been a mutually beneficial one. Our partnership claim ‘Believe in Yourself’ encourages us to identify with the achievements of Paralympic athletes and to be inspired by their determination to move on and the strength to move up in life, despite adversity. They are true role models for overcoming personal crises. We have experienced first-hand the unique spirit that motivates them to push their abilities to the limits and we want to share these experiences more intensely with a broader public. Our partnership with the National Federation of Sports for the Disabled in Sri Lanka is a step in this direction.”

Surekha Alles, Chief Executive Officer, Allianz Lanka said, "Allianz Lanka is proud to partner the National Federation of Sports for the Disabled. Paralympic athletes are a source of inspiration to us. Our partnership provides a meaningful link between Paralympics and the concerns of our employees and customers. These athletes’ passion for the sport, their ambition to achieve their goals despite the odds and their ability to believe in themselves, mirror the Allianz work ethic.

"There is another strong link between Allianz and the Paralympics: Areas of health, rehabilitation and reintegration following an injury are also areas in which Allianz provides support to our customers worldwide. The topic of impairment is an issue that concerns all of us and could affect us, our families and friends, at anytime.”

The IPC is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The Paralympic Games have grown from a small gathering of British World War II veterans in 1948 to become one of the largest international sporting events today. The name ‘Paralympic’ refers to a competition held in parallel with the Olympic Games and Paralympians strive for equal treatment with non-disabled Olympic athletes.

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