Mahela signs with Central Districts Cricket in NZ

Cricketing legend Mahela Jayawardene is to be contracted as an overseas player in the Georgie Pie Super Smash Twenty20 competition for Central Districts Cricket team, Central Stags in New Zealand. This agreement was made possible by key sponsor Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) and facilitated by Pro X New Zealand Ltd. Mahela’s first game for Central Districts will take place on 19 November 2015 at Nelson’s Saxton Oval ground and will be followed by several more games during November and December across the bottom half of New Zealand’s North Island. As part of the arrangement Mahela will act as brand ambassador for NMIT and undertake a range of promotional activities on behalf of the educational institution including social media and attendance at events in Sri Lanka and New Zealand over the coming 12 months. Of the agreement, NMIT Chief Executive Officer Tony Gray said, “NMIT is delighted to announce this exciting partnership with one of crickets all-time greats, Mahela Jayawardene. Our relationship with Mahela began with his first visit to NMIT a year ago and since then we have provided aquaculture expertise for his Ministry of Crab restaurant business, supported his Foundation of Goodness charity in Seenigama and more recently been the major sponsor in Mahela’s overseas player spot at Central Districts Cricket.” “What immediately impressed me about Mahela is his integrity and very obvious passion for his country,” says NMIT Chief Executive Tony Gray. “We are seeing a growing number of Sri Lankan students at NMIT who are enjoying their learner experience with us, working with local businesses and seeing their studies with us as providing opportunities for their career development both in Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Mahela is a very much a role model in Sri Lanka and we believe his support of NMIT adds another endorsement to the excellent experiences Sri Lankan students can have with us.” “I am thrilled to be playing for the Stags in this year’s Super Smash. I have enjoyed playing in New Zealand throughout my career and playing for one of the leading domestic teams will be a new and exciting challenge.” Said Mahela. Mahela also said that it is a pleasure to work with a reputable institution like NMIT.