Hockey High!

Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya wins Western Province Hockey tournament

by Nilma Dole

The game of hockey is played in Sri Lanka by a majority of young girls who are extremely talented and disciplined but the standard of the game should be uplifted when it comes to promoting this sport at a national level. With good spirit, discipline and teamwork, hockey is a sport that turns anybody into responsible citizens worthy to society. Coach and veteran sports personality J.A.N. Perera told the Sunday Observer, “We need a good turf to play hockey but even with limited facilities at the Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya and the fact that we practise only once a week, the team beat the strong Visakha side to take the title of champions.”

The winning score was 2-1 which was calculated by the number of penalty strokes and it was a tight game which saw the teams struggling to outdo one another. Centre forward player Shekaza Borham said, “Our target was to somehow win this match against Visakha because our team didn’t take the championship title before so we really worked hard to achieve our goal.”

She added, “We have a good balance with our education and hockey playing because we love practising and build team spirit and discipline.”

The team thank their former principal D.S.M.D. Abeysekara Dissanayake, Principal E. Goonawardane, vice principal Shriyani Perera, TIC Anjana Abeyrathne, coach J.A.N. Perera, all their school teachers, parents of the hockey players, navel cadet training officer Manjula Premachandra and all the cadets without whom they couldnt have got to this position.

The game definitely turns these girls into all-rounders because after a hard day at school, they relax and exercise with a good game of hockey.

Dynamic players Chanchala Madumali, Shekaza Borham and Sewmini Imalka have also represented Sri Lankas hockey team at international games. Chanchala won the Best Goalkeeper at the Penang games held a few years ago.

With immense potential, it is unfortunate to see talent being wasted as the Sri Lankan sporting field places emphasis on other sports rather than ones that we shine in.

Principal Goonawardane said, “We have plenty of potential but we hope the public helps us by giving sponsorships. Our girls are invited to play in several countries to represent Sri Lanka but are turned down due to lack of finances.”

She said that this year with this champion’s title, Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya has been Western Province Under-17 champions, Under-15 runners up, Under-13 runners up. “Last year we were runners-up at the all-island Under-17 games and this month we are hoping that the girls will perform well this year too.”

She felt fully confident that if our hockey players are given the right support, Sri Lankas hockey side can easily clinch a gold medal in this sport at the Olympics!

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