By SAJEEWA JAYAKODY
In a generous move for the third time in a row, the Indian Oil Company (IOC) has stepped up to sponsor the 60th Men’s and 30th Women’s Hockey National Championship. The championship is scheduled to take place from January 25 to 28 at the Shalika Grounds, Park Road in Colombo 5.
The sponsorship announcement was made during a press conference at the IOC Office, World Trade Centre on Tuesday.
Excitement surrounds the four-day national championship, which will feature 15 men’s teams and seven women’s teams. The men’s teams are grouped into Pool ‘A’, Pool ‘B’, Pool ‘C’, and Pool ‘D’.
In Pool ‘A’, the competing teams include Defence Service HA, Gampaha HA, Kandy HA, and Sri Lanka Schools HA. Pool ‘B’ will see Mercantile HA, Uva HA, and Matara HA in action. Pool ‘C’ consists of State Services HA, Matale HA, Combined University HW, and Nationalised Services HA. Pool ‘D’ promises fierce competition with Colombo HA, Kalutara HA, Wennappuwa HA, and Galle HA.
The women’s competition will be no less thrilling, with seven teams spread across Pool ‘A’ and Pool ‘B’. Pool ‘A’ includes Defence Services HA, Combined University HW, Sri Lanka Schools HA, and Kandy HA. Meanwhile, Pool ‘B’ features Wennappuwa HA, Colombo HA, and Matale HA.
The opening and closing ceremonies will be graced by Dipak Das, the Managing Director of IOC. The Sri Lanka Hockey Federation has invited all teams to be present at the venue by 7 AM, with matches kicking off at 9 AM.
