Old Bens Golden Jubilee Hockey Sevens

Leslie Fernando

The Old Benedictine’s Sports Club Golden Jubilee Invitation inter-club and Schools Seven-a-Side Hockey Tournament has attracted 28 teams.

The tournament will be played on Saturday June 27 at St. Benedict’s College grounds, Kotahena starting from 8.30 a.m. and the finals scheduled to be played at 4.30 p.m.

The tournament will be sponsored by British Studies and Independent Educational Advisory Services, Maria Jewellers and S. Mariampillai Pawn Brokers and Tigo.

Rev. Bro. Granville Perera Director St. Benedict’s College and Patron Old Benedictine’s Sports Club together with Ravi Irugalbandara Chairman Organising Committee at a press conference held on Thursday, June 18 at the Old Benedictine’s SC Pavilion thanked the clubs and schools for accepting the invitation to take part and the sponsors for their support.

Earlier soccer and Twenty 20 tournaments were conducted successfully.

As one of the pioneer and active hockey playing clubs Old Bens SC will make every effort to make this tournament a memorable one.

The teams taking part in the Club Tournament.

Group ‘A’ - Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Army, Old Anandian SC.

Group ‘B’ - Old Bens SC, Sri Lanka Police, Wennappuwa Hockey Club.

Group ‘C’ - CH and FC, Sri Lanka Air Force, Old Peterite SC.

Group ‘D’ - BRC, Old Zahirians Matale, Gymkhana Club.

The winner of Group ‘A’ will meet winner Group ‘C’ and winners of group ‘B’ and group ‘D’ will clash in the semi-finals.

Schools Tournament

The 16 teams will play in four groups - St. Benedict’s College, Royal, D.S. Senanayake College, Zahira College, Colombo (Group ‘A’), Christ Church, Matale, Nalanda, Joseph Vaz College, Richmond College (Group ‘B’), St. Thomas’ College, Matale, Ananda, St. Sylvester’s College, St. Joseph’s College (Group ‘C’), Vijaya College, Matale, Dharmaraja College, Wesley College, Maris Stella, College (Group ‘D’).

The winner and runner-up in four groups will qualify the quarter-finals and the ultimate winner will be found after cris-cross play.

Prizes and awards on offer are the champions in the club and schools tournament will be presented Golden Jubilee Trophies, cash and Gold medals for each player, runner-up a trophy each, cash and Silver medals, the second runner-up in the clubs a trophy and bronze medals.

The best player and best goal-keeper of the club and school tournament will receive a trophy and cash.

The best player and best goal-keeper will be selected by a Panel of Umpires who will be officiating at the tournament.

The Organizing Committee consists of Ravi Irugalbandara (Chairman), Delly Fernando (President OBSC), Rev. Bro. Mano, Srilal de Silva, Francis Assis, Gabriel Moral, Thilak Fernando, Malraj Pigera, Maxie Marimpillai, Jerome Fernando, Anton Leon, Anton Carvalno, Marlon Jacob, Linus Chandrasekaran, Michael Fernando, Senicius Pushparaj, Christopher Prasanna.

Dennis de Rosayro, first Benedictine Hockey Captain (1954) and first Benedictine to represent Sri Lanka at hockey, President MHA for more than 30 years, former Vice-President SLHF, chairman, selection, umpires, tournament committee, national umpire and coach will be the chief guest at the finals while Rev. Bro. Granville Perera, Director St. Benedict’s College will be the guest of honour.