Fr Herbert memorial basketball tournament from April 27

The Fr Herbert memorial basketball tournament will be held in Batticaloa on April 27, 28 and 29. The parent body in Batticaloa and St Michael's College, Batticaloa, Colombo branch together will be conducting the tournament. Eight teams will be participating in this three-day tournament, where high standard of basketball is expected.

The teams are Colombo Cagers, Hambantota Carlton, Batticaloa Blues, Batticaloa Red, Jaffna SC, Kandy SC, Police SC and St Michael's College.

St Michael's College was established in 1872 and has a proud name for basketball.

Fr Herbert was responsible for moulding students of St Michael's College to represent Sri Lanka in basketball.

Uplifting the standards of basketball in Batticaloa, he built up confidence among the students and the old boys of St Michael's College. Under his able guidance as coach, Batticaloa District became the senior nationals runners-up on three occasions. In the junior nationals, Batticaloa District had the distinction of winning the championship trophy on six occasions.

This feat was achieved for three consecutive years in 1986, 1987, and 1988 which no other team has achieved so far. In the public schools tournament, St Michael's became the champions in the under 19, 17, 15 and 13 categories in several occasions.