Hockey re-enters SA games

Hockey matches of the South Asian Games have been shifted from Astro Turf at Reid Avenue to Nandamitra Ekanayake ground in Matale. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be seen in action in hockey tourney for men from August 21 to 25.

Gamini Jayasinghe, Secretary, Hockey Federation of Sri Lanka said that hockey will be played for the first time at the SA Games in Sri Lanka. Hockey was not included in 1991 SA Games in Colombo. Further more, this is the second occasion 'stickers' from Sri Lanka will be taking part in hockey in an SA Games. In 1995, Sri Lanka played in the hockey tournament in Madras at the 7th SA Games.

Hockey was included this time due to the support of Sports Ministry and the National Olympic Council.

Three to four decades ago, Sri Lanka hockey was at a high level and occupied the third slot in Asia behind India and Pakistan. Sixty four players started training and the pool was pruned down to 22 after selection trials held in Colombo and Matale.

The 22-member team will leave for Chennai for two-week training and to play a series of matches with leading clubs. Saith Kumar, and experienced Indian hockey coach, will train our players.

He thanked the Sports Ministry for redeveloping the Nandamitra Ekanayake hockey grounds. The turf is at international level and suitable for international matches. A new pavilion is also being erected in Matale. At the 2004 SAG, Pakistan beat arch rivals India to lift title. Jayasinghe said that Sri Lanka could expect the third place in Colombo games.

Chandana Deshapriya has been appointed manager of the Sri Lanka hockey team, Brig H. Zaheer is the head coach of the national team. Messrs. A.N. Perera, (Director Coaching), H.M. Mulafer (National Coach), Sarath Wimalasinghe, Thilak Wimalasinghe, Neelananda Ittapana are the Assistant Coaches.

T.M.P.B. Abeyratne of Sri Lanka Army is the captain of the team and other poolists are: C. Jayasuriya (HNB), P.G. Jayaratne (Police), A.B. Karunaratne (Army), N.D.G. Dissanayake (Matale), K.S.S. Perera (SL Air Force), A.M.S. Wickremasinghe (Sampath Bank), W.A.P. Priyantha (Air Force), D. Weerasuriya (Matale), H.D. Dharmaratne (Army), H.S. Jayasinghe (Army), S.M.M.S. Mohideen (Matale), H.S. Hettiarachchi (Colombo DHA), N. Gazali (HNB), P.N. Cramer (Army), Dhanuka Abeyratne (Air Force), N. Hewage (Matale), C.E. Sumanaratne (Kandy), B. Sathis Kumar (Police), I.K. Jayasundara (Army), T. Perera (Army), Thusitha Rathnasiri (Air Force).