Schools hockey tourney from January 18 to 21

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

HOCKEY: The All Island Schools under-19 boys and girls hockey championship will be worked off from January 18 to 21 at the Nandimitra Ekanayake artificial turf and Bernard Aluvihare stadium, Matale.

The tournament is going to be held after a lapse of over two decades by the Sri Lanka Schools hockey Association with the sponsorship package granted by 'Sisil' who wish to sponsor Sri Lanka Schools hockey and other district schools hockey committees from this year onwards to conduct tournaments and help to develop the game.

This year 40 teams from all parts of the country have qualified to play in this tournament. The preliminary rounds will be played on a league basis where teams will be categorised into four groups.

Thereafter the tournament will be played on a knock-out basis.

The winning team, first runner up team and the second runner up in both boys and girls categories will receive the 'Sisil' challenge trophies together with gold, silver and bronze medals respectively and all the participants will be awarded participation certificates.

The opening ceremony will take place on January 18 at 8 a.m. at the Nandimitra Ekanayake hockey stadium while The closing ceremony will be on Sunday.