Ascott Organises 6th Edition Of ‘Diplomatic Premier League’ In Association With UNHCR

• The annual futsal tournament seeks to spotlight the resilience of refugees facing displacement from their homelands, fostering understanding and support.

Chennai, 09 December 2023 - CapitaLand Investment’s wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), organized the sixth edition of its Futsaltournament,the Diplomatic Premier League. The tournament saw Chennai’s diplomatic community coming together for this year’s coveted title. The tournament was organized in association with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency. The trophy unveiling ceremony was attended by Ms Margriet Veenma, Deputy Chief Mission, UNHCR along with other distinguished figures from the diplomatic community.

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Speaking at the event, Vincent Miccolis, Managing Director, Middle East, Africa, Turkey, India The Ascott Limited said, “In the vibrant tapestry of sports, the Diplomatic Premier League weaves a story of diversity, diplomacy, and unity. As the consulates of nations and honorary consuls join hands with the UNHCR team, this tournament becomes a testament to the transformative power of sports, fostering inclusivity and promoting fitness and harmony. The tournament also presents a unique opportunity for the UN refugees to demonstrate their skills in this competition.”

Commenting on the initiative, Ms Margriet Veenma, Deputy Chief Mission, UNHCR said: “I am honored to witness the sixth edition of Diplomatic Premier League, a powerful convergence of sports and diplomacy orchestrated by The Ascott Limited. This event not only showcases the spirit of competition but also underscores the importance of unity and inclusivity, symbolized by the association with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Through the language of sports, we celebrate diversity, resilience, and the shared commitment towards empowering the refugee community.”

The primary goal of the Diplomatic Premier League (DPL) is to promote physical fitness and foster camaraderie among the diplomatic community based in Chennai. Furthermore, it aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees who are forcibly displaced from their homelands. The event serves as a platform to shed light on the refugee crisis and encourages collaborative efforts to address these issues in the future.

After an exciting competition amongst twelve teams from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Italy, Tamil Nadu Civil Services and UNHCR refugee’s team. This year UNHCR team were declared the champions of Diplomatic Premier League 2023 and Japan team secured the 1 st runner-up position followed by Italy as the 2nd runner-up. The event was cohosted by Dr. Yashwanth Honorary Consul El Salvador at Whistle Urban Sports Hub, Nungambakkam.

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