Defence Services Hockey Players Win ‘Senior National Hockey Championship’

Defence Services Male and Female Hockey players Sunday (21) evening beat their counterparts in Government Services Hockey Club and Colombo Hockey Club during the finals in the ‘Senior National Hockey Championship’ Tournament, held at the Hockey Turf in Colombo 7 and won the trophy.

The Defence Services Male Hockey players scored 5 against 0 during the finals against the Government Services Hockey Club and won the championship. During the tournament Defence Services Male Hockey players scored 61 goals.

Woman players scored 6-0 and became champions in the tournament defeating Colombo Hockey Club. Woman players meanwhile scored 29 points during the tournament.

Sunday’s finals came about after a tournament that went on for six days (16-21January) under arrangements, made by the Sri Lanka Sports Development Ministry after absence of about 6 years.

Eighteen male and ten female club teams from Defence Services, Police and the civil sector vied in the six-day long tournament.

During the tournament, Defence Services Male players beat Ratnapura Hockey players for 20-0, Wennappuwa Sports Club for 20-0, Sri Lanka University Club for 6-0 and Mercantile Hockey for 10-1. Male squad consisted of Army (7), Navy (4) and Air Force (7) players.

In addition, Defence Services Woman players beat Wennappuwa Sports Club for 10-0, Sri Lanka University Club for 2-0, Kalutara Hockey Club 4-0, Colombo Hockey Club 1-0 and Kandy Hockey Club for 4-0. Female team was comprised of Army (4), Navy (9) and Air Force (5) players.

Gunner K.M.R.J Kulatunga of the Army Hockey Club was awarded the trophy for the best player in the tournament while the Best woman player award went to Sailor, E.W.H.S.G.G.G Damayanthi of the Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club.

Major General Shavendra Silva, Chairman, Army Hockey Committee and the Chairman Defence Services Hockey Committee was behind the planning and training of those tri-service members to reach new heights.