Blue and Gold Hockey Sevens unveils new logo Organisers hope to invite 100 teams to mark 20th edition

RCHC officials at the launch ceremony (From left): Ranil Sri Chandrasekera - Director Sponsorships, Blue and Gold Hockey Sevens 2025, Damitha Silva - Secretary, RCHC, L. W. K. Silva - Senior Deputy Principal, Royal College, P. A. D. P. Nishantha - Deputy Principal, Royal College, Jayantha Senanayake - Treasurer, RCHC and Punsara Aravinda - Tournament Chairman, Blue & Gold Hockey Sevens 2025

By Allaam Ousman

The Royal College Hockey Club (RCHC), in collaboration with Royal College, Colombo, unveiled a new logo for the 20th edition of the Blue and Gold Hockey Sevens — marking a historic milestone in Sri Lanka’s most prestigious schools’ hockey tournament.

“We didn’t just want to mark the 20th year — we wanted to redefine what this tournament stands for,” said Damitha Silva, Secretary of RCHC at a gala ceremony held at Sheraton.

“This new logo is a symbol of everything we’ve built: passion, pride, and perseverance. From a modest revival in the early 2000s, we've grown into a national fixture. Now, we’re stepping confidently onto the international stage.”

This year’s expanded three-day format will see over 70 boys’ and girls’ teams battling it out across Cup, Plate, and Bowl categories from August 7 to 9 at the Royal College Main Grounds.

The Captains’ Dinner on August 8 will celebrate leadership, unity, and tradition while the tournament finale on August 9 will feature a live musical concert with some of Sri Lanka’s top entertainers, creating a carnival atmosphere for players, fans, and families.

The new logo stands as a bold symbol of legacy, unity, and forward momentum. It honours a tournament that began in 1992, was revived in the early 2000s and has since evolved into a blue-riband event on the national schools’ hockey calendar.

“This logo is more than a design — it’s a tribute to three decades of excellence and resilience,” said Damitha Silva, Secretary of the Royal College Hockey Club. “With this mark, we celebrate not only a tournament but a movement that has grown in strength, stature, and spirit. The 20th edition is our proudest chapter yet.”

The tournament will officially open with the Captains’ Dinner on August 8 — an event celebrating school leadership and camaraderie. This edition will also feature international teams and foreign umpires, adding a global flair to the competition and promoting cross-cultural engagement among young athletes.

The new logo

The event will culminate with a musical show on August 9, showcasing top Sri Lankan performers and entertainment experiences curated for players, families, and fans alike.

“We wanted this edition to reflect not just growth, but transformation,” said Punsara Aravinda, Tournament Chairman. “The new logo sets the tone for an evolved tournament experience — more professional, more inclusive, and more memorable than ever before.”

“It gives me immense pleasure and pride to stand here in front of you as we celebrate the 20th milestone — 20 years of the Blue and Gold Hockey Sevens,” reiterated Damitha Silva.

“When we first began in 1992, we had just about 16 teams and concluded it in a single day. After a brief hiatus, we revived the tournament in 2003 and except during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has continued with consistency and strength. Today, it is a cornerstone of school-level hockey in Sri Lanka.”

“We take pride in how this event has contributed to the development of sport in the country. We were the first to televise a school-level hockey tournament and continue to introduce new features that enhance the experience for players. Our players have always been the focus. We don’t charge an entry fee — we go a step further by offering free accommodation, meals, and snacks to boys and girls travelling from across the island,” he added.

“From 16 teams to over 80 today, we’re preparing to welcome nearly 100 teams this year with the extended tournament format. The Blue and Gold Hockey Sevens is now one of the most anticipated events by every hockey-playing school on the island.”

“For two decades, the Blue and Gold Hockey Sevens has been the ultimate stage for Sri Lanka’s finest school hockey talent,” said Ranil Sri Chandrasekera, Director of Sponsorship and Fundraising.

“With over 75 teams, intense competition, and a growing audience, this tournament is bigger than ever. In 2025, we’re taking it to the next level.”

“We didn’t just want to mark the 20th year — we wanted to redefine what this tournament stands for,” said Damitha Silva, Secretary of RCHC. “This new logo is a symbol of everything we’ve built: passion, pride, and perseverance. From a modest revival in the early 2000s, we've grown into a national fixture. Now, we’re stepping confidently onto the international stage.”

This year’s expanded three-day format will see over 70 boys’ and girls’ teams battling it out across Cup, Plate, and Bowl categories at the Royal College Main Grounds. The Captains’ Dinner on August 8 will celebrate leadership, unity, and tradition, while the tournament finale on August 9 will feature a live musical concert with some of Sri Lanka’s top entertainers, creating a carnival atmosphere for players, fans, and families.

“Blue and Gold has always been about more than just sport—it’s about community, culture, and giving young people something to aspire to,” said Chandrasekera. “As we celebrate 20 years, our vision is clearer than ever: to elevate school hockey to world-class standards while staying true to the Royal spirit of excellence and inclusivity."

“We want every participant — whether they win or not — to walk away with memories, friendships, and lessons that stay with them,” Chandrasekera added. “This tournament is a launchpad. It’s where potential meets opportunity.”

A core part of the 20th edition’s identity is its visual rebranding. The newly launched logo will appear across a wide range of platforms — from official jerseys and digital content to venue signage, social media campaigns, and exclusive memorabilia.

“This is not just a look — it’s a legacy in motion,” noted Silva. “The logo will represent every drop of sweat, every cheer from the stands, every team huddling under the sun. We wanted something the players could wear with pride.”

In addition to the on-field action, the tournament will feature dedicated hospitality zones for alumni, sponsors, media, and dignitaries, and will be covered widely across broadcast and digital platforms.

Organisers also extended their heartfelt thanks to the long-standing sponsors — notably SINGER, the original title sponsor, and ESOFT, the current title sponsor — as well as Platinum and Gold supporters who have played a key role in the tournament’s growth.

“Their commitment goes beyond branding — it’s a shared belief in what sport can do for our youth,” Silva emphasized. “We’re grateful for their partnership in this journey.”

The 20th Edition logo represents more than just a visual identity.

"It embodies the event’s evolution and reflects core design principles of scalability, simplicity, and elegance. It is intentionally minimalistic — easily adaptable across formats from digital screens to large signage, and recognisable at a glance. Much like the Nike swoosh or Adidas stripes, this new symbol is crafted to be iconic. It's scalable, simple and elegant," said an official explaining the concept behind the design of the new logo.

“We’ve deliberately created something clean and timeless,” said a member of the creative team. “Royal College has many elaborate emblems, but for this anniversary, we wanted a logo that reflects approachability while still honouring tradition and excellence.”

As the countdown begins to what promises to be a spectacular edition of the Blue and Gold Hockey Sevens, one thing is clear — this is more than just an anniversary. It’s the start of a new era.