by Rukshan Razak
– Kandy Sports Corr.
The Sri Lanka National hockey left the island to participate
in the 15th Asian Games qualifying round hockey tournament which
commenced May 11, at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium
in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka is placed in group ‘A’ along with Bangladesh,
Singapore, Indonesia, and Tajikistan. Group ‘B’ comprises Hong
Kong, Oman, Chinese Taipei and Iran.
According to the present rankings, Sri Lanka stands second
and the major challenge for the Local stickers will be
Bangladesh.
Of the nine teams competing in the qualifying round the top
four teams will compete at the Asian Games to be held in
September in Qatar.
This is an opportunity that Sri Lanka has gained after a
lapse of 28 years, to qualify for the Asian Games.
The last time Sri Lanka participated at the Asian Games was
in 1978.
Sri Lanka in their first match will face Singapore on the
third day of the tournament (13th), while the finals will be
held on May 19, commencing 3.30 pm in Dhaka.
The team will be captained by A. M. H. B. Wickramasinghe of
the Sri Lanka Army and his deputy will be Siraj Mohideen.
The Sri Lanka hockey squad: A. M. H. B. Wickramasinghe
(Captain), Siraj Mohideen (Vice captain), E. P. R. Jayasooriya,
A. B. Karunaratne, I. K. Jayasundara, T. M. P. P. Abeyratne, S.
S. Jayasinghe. K. A. S. S. Perera, M. G. P. K. Dharmaratne, D.
M. Weerasooriya, M. M. Gazzali, H. S. Hettiarachchci, N. A.
Hewagwe, U. G. S. Keerthikumara, C. L.S umanaratne, A. A.
Kramer, N. D. De Alwis, W. Nilwalarachchi, B. G. R. Fernando
(Manager), S. M. Mulafer (Coach).
