Commander’s Cup Golf Tourney from Jan. 19

Group Chief Officer of Dialog Enterprise, Navin Peiris (second from right) handing over the sponsorship cheque to Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa (second from left) 
Pic by Nisal Baduge   

BY Susil Premalal   

The 11th edition of the Commander’s Cup Golf Tournament 2024 will be held at the Air Force Eagles’ Golf Links and Courses (AFEGLC) from January 19 to 21 at the Eagles’ Golf Links in China Bay, Trincomalee. 

 
This event will be hosted by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), with the assistance of Dialog Enterprise persuading as the Main Exclusive Sponsor.   
This event is being held under the guidance of the Commander of the SLAF, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa.   

More than 100 male and over 25 female golfers from across the country and around the world have actively signed up for the tournament.   
Top players from the USA and England have already confirmed their participation in this tournament.   

These details were revealed by the Commander of the SLAF, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, during a media briefing held at the new Air Force Headquarters in Akuraigoda, Battaramulla.   
Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa said that they are keen to take another step in their endeavour to develop the sport in the country with an Inter-Schools tournament in 2024.   

Air Marshal Rajapaksa further said that the SLAF would conduct three major golf tournaments this year in addition to seven other different sports events.    The Eagles’ Challenge Trophy, which will be accorded to the top performer among serving members of the armed services, will be up for grabs in addition to the major trophy among the tri-forces golfers (both male and female).   

The Group Chief Officer of Dialog Enterprise, Navin Peiris, said: “We are privileged to partner with the Sri Lanka Air Force for the fourth consecutive year to make this prestigious Commander’s Cup Golf Tournament a greater success.” 

 
Moreover, local and international male and female golf enthusiasts are set to participate in the prestigious Commander’s Cup Golf Tournament 2024, which is a significant facet of Sri Lankan tourism.   

As part of a strategic initiative to boost sports tourism, the SLAF has developed golf courses in key locations, including Anuradhapura, Koggala and China Bay.   

These courses, such as the Koggala Golf Links situated in the Southern Province, have become integral to promoting the combination of sports and tourism.   

Notably, the trio of Golf Links, including Koggala Golf Links, has played a distinctive role, hosting numerous events that accumulated the participation of over 450 golf enthusiasts, both local and foreign, throughout the year 2023.