Date — 14 November, 2012
For little Kumara, aged eight, it was the best day of her young life as she became the centre of attention when Laureus World Sports Academy member and Olympic legend Steve Redgrave visited the Foundation of Goodness community sports project in Sri Lanka.
Kumara – full name Kumara Wadu Parami Apsara – is the winner of a worldwide drawing competition. Her design is engraved into the case back of the Portofino Chronograph Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, a special edition watch from IWC Schaffhausen. Five time Olympic-gold-medal-winning rower Steve Redgrave travelled to Seenigama, Sri Lanka, to congratulate the youngster and hand over her prize.
It is the sixth time that IWC Schaffhausen has selected a model from its collection as a means of supporting the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. On each occasion youngsters from Laureus-supported projects around the world have taken part in the drawing competition. This year the jury selected the illustration by Kumara, who interpreted the theme of the competition – “Time to inspire” – with a picture showing four young girls happily playing sport and enjoying themselves. The engraving is a reminder that a portion of the proceeds from sales will help disadvantaged children around the world.
Steve Redgrave said: “I have taken part in some important and exciting Laureus events since I became a member of the Laureus Academy, but I think being able to travel to Sri Lanka to meet young Kumara and give her this prize was one of the best moments I have had. You could see the delight in her eyes and her pride in what she had achieved. It’s wonderful to think that the drawing she has made will travel around the world on the back of this watch from IWC and raise money to help other youngsters like her. It is a perfect example of how Laureus can give opportunities to young people that they would not normally get. I wish her all the best in the future as I do all the kids that I met in Sri Lanka.”
Since 2005, as part of its social responsibility, IWC Schaffhausen has been one of the main sponsors of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, an organization that brings together top-flight sport and social commitment at a high level.
Kumara is a participant in the Seenigama Sport for Life project. She was born exactly a month before the tsunami in December 2004 devastated the area around Galle in Sri Lanka and led the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation to support the Seenigama project, which helped to rebuild community spirit in the aftermath of the disaster. Kumara received a laptop as her prize and there was also a donation to the project from IWC Schaffhausen.
The Portofino Chronograph Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in stainless steel is available in a limited edition of 2,500 watches. Designed in characteristic Laureus blue, it is a symbol of hope for a better future.
IWC Schaffhausen
Branch of Richemont International SA
Uwe Liebminger
Department Manager Public Relations
Mobile +41 (0)79 957 72 52
E-mail uwe.liebminger@iwc.com
View the new Ingenieur watch collection at Harrods in the Fine Watch Room. Read Article
IWC Schaffhausen is renowned not only for its luxury watches, but also for its long-standing passion for the world of film-making. As new sponsor of the third International Film Festival in Beijing (BJIFF), the Swiss watch manufacturer hosted an exclusive “For the Love of Cinema” gala event for some 200 VIP guests and celebrities from around the world. Read Article
At an exclusive event attended by prominent guests including actors Robert De Niro, Eric Dane, and Jean Reno as well as model Karolina Kurkova, Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen celebrated its partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival®. The private dinner, themed “For the Love of Cinema”, underscored IWC’s passion for filmmaking and its furtherance of film projects. Apart from the presentation of the IWC Filmmaker Award, a private concert by Aloe Blacc was among the evening’s highlights. Read Article
Following last year’s boutique openings around the globe, IWC Schaffhausen has now set its sights on Rome, the Eternal City. To underline the importance of the region to its business, the Swiss watch manufacturer chose the very heart of Italy’s capital, Piazza di Spagna, as home to its first Italian boutique and showcase for its iconic timepieces. Read Article
