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.
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.
