Top fare expected at hockey tournament

S. M. JIFFREY Abdeen Kandy sports correspondent

Top fare is expected when the annual inter-club men's and women's seven-a-side hockey tournament organised by the Kandy District Hockey Association and sponsored by the Lions Club of Grandpass for the Lions trophy is worked off on Sunday at Police grounds, Kandy, commencing at 7.30 a.m.

Seetha Devi Sports Club who are the defending champions in the women's category go out as favourites to win the title again along with Pushpadana SC and Essence SC.

In the championship f or men Old Sylvestrians are the reigning champions but they will receive stiff challenges from Kings 'A' and Kings 'B' and Kandy Hockey and Football Club.

Region Chairperson of the Lions Club Lion Gratien Fernando will be the Chief Guest at the Awards ceremony with Lion P. J. Kulendrarajah and Lion P. Raveendranathan as Guests of Honour.

Superintendent of Prisons and General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation Gamini Jayasinghe will be Chief Guest at the opening ceremony.

The teams have been group as follows:

Men's Teams: Group A: Old Sylvestrians SC, KH and FC, Old kings SC 'A', Old Rajans SC, Group B: Old Kings SC 'B', University of Peradeniya 'B', Kandy Wanderers SC, Group C: Hindu SC, University of Peradeniya 'A', Green Park SC, Group D: Old Vidyarthians SC, Anniewatte SC, Young Stars SC, Asgiriya SC.

Women's Teams: Group A: Seetha Devi SC, Pushpadana SC, University of Peradeniya 'A', Group B: Anthony's SC, Devians SC 'B', Girls High School SC, Group C: Young Stars SC, Swarnamali SC, Devians SC 'A', Group D: Seetha Devi SC 'B', Essence SC, University of Peradeniya 'B'.