“Sprite Lahore Cricket League” launched

Lahore, January 19, 2012: The Coca-Cola Company, in line with its philosophy of providing avenues for healthy activity to the youth of Pakistan the youth of Pakistan avenues for healthy activity, has launched the “Sprite Lahore Cricket League” in partnership with the Lahore Regional Cricket Association. Through the Sprite Lahore Cricket League budding cricketers, from almost 130 cricket clubs across Lahore, will be provided a unique opportunity to demonstrate their cricketing abilities and work towards becoming national level players. 

After the successful completion of “Sprite Cricket Next 2011” in which teams from 13 cities across Pakistan had competed for the lucrative cash prize of Rs. 400,000 and the coveted title of National Street Cricket Champions; this is Sprite’s fresh endeavor to support cricket at its grassroots level. 

Present at the launch were Khawaja Nadeem, President LCCA, Imran Bucha representative of LRCA, Rizwan U. Khan, General Manager The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Pakistan and Afghanistan and Fahad Qadir, Public Affairs & Communications Director of The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Pakistan and Afghanistan, among other dignitaries and cricket enthusiasts. 

Speaking on the occasion Rizwan U. Khan said, “Club cricket is one of the major stepping stones towards a long-term career in the game and it’s from these humble beginnings that the superstars of tomorrow are spotted and groomed. At Sprite we feel it is vital to provide these clubs greater opportunities to showcase their cricket skills and raise the standard of the game in Lahore.” 

Khawaja Nadeem and Imran Bucha have been working towards elevating the standard of club cricket in Lahore as they want LCCA to be a model cricket body in the country. Commenting on the partnership with Sprite, Khawaja Nadeem said, “It is heartening that a brand such as Sprite understands the importance of club cricket and is undertaking efforts to promote the game. Without a strong club cricket structure Pakistan cricket cannot prosper. “ 

“Sprite Lahore Cricket League” will feature 35 teams from the North, 51 teams from the West and 46 teams from the East zones of the city. These chosen groups will initially play against teams from their own zones for a chance to qualify for the next stage of the League. Qualifying teams from the second round will then compete for the title of “Sprite Lahore Cricket League Champions”. With approximately 350 matches “Sprite Lahore Cricket League” is certain to provide the youth of Lahore a healthy outlet to exhibit their cricketing prowess while providing fans of the game an entertaining exhibition of their favorite sport. 

ENDS 

The Coca-Cola Company: The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest non-alcoholic beverage company. Along with the Coca-Cola® trademark, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands, including Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, Fanta® and Sprite® beverages, and a wide range of other non-alcoholic beverages, including diet and light beverages, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy and sports drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1.4 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.