Colourful MHA’s Awards ‘Nite’

by Richard Dwight

The 29th Annual Mercantile Hockey Association’s (MHA)’Hockey Sevens’, a whole day affair preceded the evening’ MHA’s 2005 awards ceremony, held recently at the Havelocks Sports Club Colombo.

The former being a competitive exercise and the latter a social get-together amidst the distribution of trophies and prizes, for excellence achieved by the Mercantile stickers during the year.

Both events are much looked forward to by the fraternity of the MHA, enthusiasts and well wishers and, does as well serve as a climax, to the MHA’s hockey calendar for the year.

And so as in the past, there was an air of festive gaiety, with the Havelock Sports Club being transformed with buntings and banners to make it as colourful as possible for the occasion.

The chief guests at this memorable function was Asanga Ranasinghe, Channels and Customer Development Director, Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd and Mrs. Shanaz Preena, Human Resources Director Mas Intimate-while the guest of honour was Hugh Perera, Director/CEO-MTE (Pvt) Ltd - they were heralded by drummers and escorted in by the dance troupe of Visakha with Eric Gauder steering proceedings as compere.

Dennis de Rosayro a name that has now become Synonymos with Mercantile Hockey, has through these 28 years as President MHA, come to be known as a perfectionist. One who is meticulous, looking into every minute detail, to leave no stone unturned in order to ensure that every MHA tournament and attendant celebrations were successfully brought to a close.

A highly pleased Rosayro, addressing the gathering was grateful to Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd, for consecutively sponsoring the MHA hockey sevens for the 24th year and, was with hope that they will mark their ‘Silver Jubilee’ in sponsoring the event next year, while the MHA too, will in 2006 celebrate its 50th anniversary.

He was appreciative of the unstinted support extended to the MHA, by the Chairman/MD of Singer, Hemaka Amarasuriya, who is the patron of the association for the 19th year.

Rosayro was thankful to the donors and affiliates for the large sized handsome trophies on offer.

It was touching to see gift packs being presented to ground boys and the minor staff who have worked behind the scenes to make their silent contribution for the uplift of Mercantile Hockey.

He was mindful of the hard work put in at all times by Iqbal Jumar and yet other members of the committee and hoped that his dream of some form of accommodation for the MHA will be realised.

The patron of the MHA, Hemaka Amarasuriya said that Mercantile Hockey is an example to all sports bodies in Sri Lanka, due to the exemplary administration of officials and the enthusiasm shown each year by players. He was of the view that the Mercantile Sevens is a much looked forward to family event now.

The chief guest, Asanga Ranasinghe, made the point that cricket is very much alive and, those responsible for the promotion and furtherance of hockey must strive to do likewise by keeping hockey fully focused.

The presentation of awards which was staggered were made by distinguished guests and officials.

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

Mercantile Hockey Sevens 2005

‘A’ Division - MHA Trophy - winner HNB; Runner-up Sampath Bank.

‘B’ Division - Singer Trophy - winner Seylan Bank; Runner-up Arpico.

‘C’ Division - Lifebuoy Trophy - winner J-Keells; Runner-up HNB - ‘B’.

‘D’ Division - Edmund J. Cooray Trophy - winner AWD Group; Runner-up Hilton.

‘E’ Division - Ceylon Cold Stores Trophy - winner Glaxo Smith-Kline; Runner-up Unilever.

Dennis De Rosayro Fair Play Trophy for the ‘A’ Division team HNB ‘A’ Runner-up Sampath Bank.

Best Player Awards (donated by MHA)

‘A’ Division - M. M. Ghazali - HNB (A).

‘B’ Division - K. Wijesinghe - Seylan Bank.

‘C’ Division - B. Gopi - HNB (B).

‘D’ Division - A. V. P. Dahanayake - AWD Group.

‘E’ Division - Ravi Padmasiri - Glaxo.

Special Awards of Merit

1. Indika Hewawasam - HNB

2. Chrith Senanayake - HNB

3. Inaugural Hemaka Amarasuriya Trophy for the outstanding young player of the year - Amila Priyapala - Sierra Electronics.