Sri Lanka state airline in Golf tourism push

Oct 17, 2012 (LBO) - SriLankan Golf Classic, a three day event with 130 international participants will kick off on October 19, as part of the state-run SriLankan Airlines to boost the island's image as a sports destination, officials said. "Many countries in the Far East and South Asia have identified the potential in Sports Tourism, Golf in particular as a means to attract high-end tourists, and have made vast investments to develop supporting facilities," SriLankan Airlines chairmn Nishantha Wickramasinghe said in a statement.

"Although, Sri Lanka is still in its infancy as a Golfing destination, events such as the SriLankan Golf Classic will help market and position the country in the international Golf community."

The event is backed by aero engine-maker Rolls-Royce, principal sponsor and Lufthansa Technik, Dialog Axiata, a telecom firm, Premadasa Gem & Jewellery, jewellers, Lanka Sportreizen a lesure firm and Gold FM, a radio station.

Around 130 Golfers from Europe, Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and the Far East will take part.

The tournament will tee-off on October 19 with a practice session at Sri Lanka's Royal Colombo Golf Club. The 18-hole course is the second oldest Royal golf club outside the United Kin