Sri Lanka to play in under 21 Federation Cup

By Leslie Fernando

HOCKEY: Sri Lanka has confirmed participation at the Asian Hockey Federation Cup under-21 men's championships to be held from August 24 to 31 in Oman. The annual championships is conducted by the Oman Hockey Federation in association with the Asian Hockey Federation.

The Sri Lanka Hockey Federation has already held preliminary round trials on district basis as well as the final trial at the Astro Turf at Reid Avenue last Sunday and has selected 35 'stickers' to the training pool.

According to a senior official of Sri Lanka Hockey Federation, the final 20 players for the tour will be picked by the National Selection Committee on their performances at training sessions together with practice matches arranged with leading clubs and forces teams.

Twenty teams including Sri Lanka, will compete at the championships. According to the organisers teams will be grouped into four and the best two teams in each group will play on a criss - cross basis, to find the champion, runner-up and the third place team.

The countries expected to participate are: Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Iran, Baharain, Saudi Arabia, and Kazakastan.

The teams grouping will be made on July 24 by the Asian Hockey Federation.

Last year, Pakistan emerged champions defeating India in the final played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sri Lanka were placed third.