Chennai, India – 11th August 2025: The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a wholly owned lodging business unit of CapitaLand Investment, hosted the seventh edition of its Diplomatic Premier League (DPL), a prestigious futsal tournament in Chennai.
Organized in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Consular Corps Diplomatique (CCD), the DPL unites Chennai’s diplomatic community annually to foster unity, promote physical fitness, and raise awareness for forcibly displaced refugees.
“The Diplomatic Premier League embodies Ascott’s commitment to fostering inclusive communities and driving meaningful change,” said Mr. Hoshang Garivala, Country General Manager, The Ascott Limited. “By uniting Chennai’s diplomatic corps through sport, we create a platform for collaboration and raise vital awareness for refugees worldwide.”
Anup Kumar, Director of Sales & Marketing, Ascott India, said: “The DPL is a remarkable platform that unites diplomats in sport while shining a light on the global refugee crisis, encouraging meaningful action and solidarity.”
The trophy unveiling ceremony was attended by Hon’ble Thiru P.K. Sekar Babu, Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department – Govt. of Tamilnadu, along with some celebrities like Mrs. Shalini Ajith Kumar.
The exciting competition featured ten teams from the consulates of Germany, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Italy, Russia, Thailand, CCD, Guidance Tamil Nadu and UNHCR, held at Whistle Urban Sports Hub, Nungambakkam, Chennai.
With over 120 million people forcibly displaced worldwide (UNHCR, 2025), the DPL serves as a vital platform to advocate for refugee support and encourage diplomatic collaboration to address this global challenge. The tournament highlights the challenges faced by refugees forcibly displaced from their homelands, fostering meaningful dialogue among global leaders.
The Diplomatic Premier League, presented by The Ascott Limited, is an annual futsal tournament that brings together Chennai’s diplomatic community to compete for a prestigious title while promoting physical fitness and camaraderie.
This year, the team from Korea was declared the champion of the Diplomatic Premier League 2025. UNHCR secured the first runner-up position. The event was co-hosted by Dr. Yashwanth, Honorary Consul of El Salvador, at Whistle Urban Sports Hub, Nungambakkam.
About The Ascott Limited
Since pioneering Asia Pacific’s first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984, Ascott has grown to be a trusted hospitality company with more than 930 properties globally. Headquartered in Singapore, Ascott’s presence extends across more than 220 cities in over 40 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA.
Ascott’s diversified accommodation offerings span serviced residences, coliving properties, hotels and independent senior living apartments, as well as student accommodation and rental housing. Its award-winning hospitality brands include Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Somerset, The Crest Collection, The Unlimited Collection, Fox, Harris, POP!, Preference, Quest, Vertu and Yello. Through Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), Ascott’s loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and offers at participating properties.
A wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott is a leading vertically-integrated lodging operator. Harnessing its extensive network of third-party owners and in-market expertise, Ascott grows fee-related earnings through its hospitality management and investment management capabilities. Ascott also expands its funds under management by growing its sponsored CapitaLand Ascott Trust and private funds.
For more information on Ascott and its sustainability programme, please visit www.discoverasr.com/the-ascott-limited. Alternatively, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
About CapitaLand Investment Limited (www.capitalandinvest.com)
Headquartered and listed in Singapore in 2021, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading global real asset manager with a strong Asia foothold. As at 30 September 2024, CLI had S$134 billion of assets under management, as well as S$102 billion of funds under management held via stakes in seven listed real estate investment trusts and business trusts and a suite of private real asset vehicles that invest in demographics, disruption and digitalisation-themed strategies. Its diversified real asset classes include retail, office, lodging, industrial, logistics, business parks, wellness, self-storage, data centres, private credit and special opportunities.
CLI aims to scale its fund management, lodging management and commercial management businesses globally and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand Group’s development arm. In 2025, CapitaLand Group celebrates 25 years of excellence in real assets and continues to innovate and shape the industry.
As a responsible company, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does and has committed to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 2050. CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders.
