Under 17 hockey tourney from September 24 to 27

Sanjaya ARIYARATNE

The Under 17 All Island Hockey Tournament for girls and boys will get under way from September 24 to 27 at three different venues in Matale conducted by the Matale Schools Hockey Committee in association with the Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association.

All the Preliminary round matches of the tournament will be worked off at Edward Park grounds and Bernard Aluvihare Stadium in Matale with the finals scheduled to be held at Nandimitra Ekanayake Stadium, Matale.

Both Boys and girls teams have been grouped into four divisions each. Defending champions St. Thomas College, Matale will be looking for a repeat performance contesting in boys group A.

Last year runners up Nalanda College looks for an improved performance playing in group D. Girls tournament is open for anyone to go for the title as it is being conducted for the first time.

Teams from Kegalle and Kalutara districts are yet to confirm their participation while some teams from Kandy, Colombo and Galle districts still have to name their teams. The teams have been picked after the selection matches held district wise.

The teams taking part (boys)- Group A: St. Thomas College, Matale, Royal College, Kandy (4), Bandaranayake Vidyalaya, Gampaha, Galle (1).

Group B: Vijaya College, Matale, Ananda College, Isipathana College, Kandy (3), Kandy (5).

Group C: Christ Church College, Matale, St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena, Colombo (6), Kandy (1), Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa.

Group D: Nalanda College, Zahira College, Matale, Kandy (2), Badulla MMV, Galle (2).

(girls) Group A: Musaeus College, Seethadevi BV, Kandy, Christ Church College, Matale.

Group B: Yasodhara BV, Colombo, St. Anthony’s Convent, Katugastota, Vijaya College, Matale, Viharamahadevi BV, Badulla.

Group C: Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo (6), Girls’ High School, Kandy.

Group D: President’s College, Nawala, Ladies College, Colombo, Pushpadana Girls’ College, Kandy, Sri Sangamitta BV, Matale.