Hockey Federation makes plans for South Asian Games in 2009

By Leslie FERNANDO

Hockey: Sri Lanka Hockey Federation has set plans to form the men's and women's pools in preparation for the South Asian Games to be held in Bangladesh 2009 and also for the other international hockey encounters.

Gamini Jayasinghe, Secretary, Sri Lanka Hockey Federation told the Sunday Observer that the SLHF has decided to hold trials during the last week in December and the first and second week in January 2009 in Matale as the Astro Hockey Complex at Reid Avenue is being renovated, and a new astro turf is to be laid.

The SLHF will invite national standard 'stickers' for the trials from Defence Services, Matale Hockey Association, Kegalle HA, Galle HA, Mercantile HA, State Services, Sri Lanka Schools, Colombo HA, Kandy HA. Jayasinghe also said that under-18 boys and girls hockey pools are to be formed in view of the Asia Cup to be staged in 2007. The host country and the dates have not been finalised. On receiving confirmation from the Asian Hockey Federation, the SLHF will conduct trials to pick the boys and girls pools.

The Asian Hockey Federation has requested Sri Lanka Hockey Federation to conduct the Asian Women Hockey Championships next year in Sri Lanka. The SLHF has written to the Asian Hockey Federation stating that the Astro Hockey Complex at Reid Avenue is being done up and upon completion the SLHF will write back to them, Jayasinghe said. The work on the renovation of the New Astro Hockey Complex work might continue for further three to four months.

Ten countries are expected to play in the Asian Women Hockey Championship_India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Chinese, Taipei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau and Bangladesh.

Jayasinghe further said that the hockey umpires clinics and examination conducted by SLHF with instructions from the Asian Hockey Federation will conclude today (Sunday November 16). The hockey umpires clinics commenced on Friday.