Local Legends take centre-stage on Sept. 23
The inaugural Sri Lanka Masters Hockey League (MHL) 2017 will be worked out on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Astro Turf Hockey Complex, Colombo 7, with the participation of more than 100 ex-national stickers. Eight teams, each of 9 players and 3 reserves,will play in the 16-match (12 League games and 4 finals) Master League tournament.
Organised by Sri Lanka Masters National Hockey Association (SLMNHA), the first ever Sri Lanka Masters ‘Signature’ Hockey League will feature the legends, sometimes for the first time since their retirements in the ’80s.The former national caps have gathered to render their service to the sport, in which Sri Lanka’s standards in the international arena has declined gradually.
Colombo Wolves, Colombo Dragons, Matale Panthers, Matale Vipers, Kandy Lions, Uva Rhinos, Colombo Tuskers, and Merc Spiders will vie for the prestigious Signature Cup under 2 Groups, initially. The number of the teams is limited to 8, to ensure quality Hockey throughout the day. Each team will play 3 matches and the 2 Group leaders will play for the Cup, while the other 6 teams will vie for the Plate, Bowl, and Shield finals, subject to their standings after the Group matches.
Sri Lanka is ranked 4th in the South Asian region and below 40th in the world.
According to SLMNHA Sec. Ratnasiri Mahagalaella, Masters’ future plan is to conduct this tournament annually and invite foreign teams to participate.
He said the main objective of the Association is to encourage, promote, develop and control amateur Hockey for men and women, and to conduct free training and coaching sessions for schoolchildren on request, mainly in Sri Lanka’s rural schools, while gifting Hockey equipment.
The tournament’s main sponsor is ‘Signature’ of Hameedias, a household name for Men’s readymade garments in Sri Lanka. - LR