Cargills backing for inaugural Sri Lanka Masters International Hockey Cup INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY UNDER LIGHTS IN COLOMBO

Managing Director of Cargills Convenient Foods Ltd Pirasanth Sivagnanam presenting the token sponsorship cheque to Fouzul Hameed, President of the Sri Lanka Masters Hockey Association  

By Allaam Ousman  

Cargills (Ceylon) PLC has taken a bold stride into the world of hockey, stepping in as the Title Sponsor of the first-ever Sri Lanka Masters International Hockey Cup 2025, set to take place from May 1 to 3 at the newly unveiled Colombo International Astro Turf. This landmark event will be played under lights for the first time in the country’s hockey history and marks a significant moment in Sri Lanka’s sporting and tourism ambitions.  

The tournament will feature over 120 players aged 40 and above, representing six teams from four nations — India, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and host Sri Lanka. Split into two groups, teams such as Sri Lanka Masters Gold, UTSC Oman, and Dubai Hockey Club B will compete in Group A, while Group B includes Sri Lanka Masters Maroon, India Masters, and Dubai Hockey Club A. The group winners will face off in the final on May 3.  

“This is a milestone for us,” said Duncan Devendra, General Secretary of Sri Lanka Masters Hockey Association (SLMHA). “We’ve represented Sri Lanka in Europe — in Denmark, Italy — and now for the first time, we are bringing international Masters hockey to our own turf. It’s not just about competition; it’s about creating a festive, inclusive atmosphere with night matches and carnival-style fan experiences. We hope this becomes a new sporting tradition.”  

The tournament will also provide a developmental platform for youth. Six leading schools — S. Thomas’, Ananda, St. Joseph’s, Musaeus, Visakha, and President’s Colleges — have been invited to attend and learn from some of the best over-40 international players. Training sessions and knowledge-sharing workshops will allow students to interact directly with former national and international stars. This aligns with Cargills’ broader mission to nurture grassroots sports and empower Sri Lanka’s youth through meaningful exposure and development.  

Fouzul Hameed, President of the Sri Lanka Masters Hockey Association, explained the vision behind the initiative:  
“Hockey may not be the most popular sport in Sri Lanka today, but I’ve seen how differently students who take up hockey think and act. It’s a disciplined and decent game. This is the 10th year of our tournament, and for the first time, we are hosting four nations here. We are doing something small for the country — but something that can make a big difference. This is also about sports tourism. If we had the infrastructure, we could easily attract 3,000 players. That’s the long-term vision.”   

Cargills’ entry into hockey sponsorship marks a significant commitment to grassroots sports development. Pirasanth Sivagnanam, Managing Director of Cargills Convenient Foods Ltd, emphasised the company’s broader vision: “We are proud to be involved in hockey for the first time. This event is more than a tournament — it’s a stepping stone for Sri Lankan sports, youth engagement, and tourism. Our goal is to create real opportunities for players, coaches, and schoolchildren to grow and learn from international exposure. It’s a proud moment for us as a Sri Lankan conglomerate.”  

The event is poised to revive the glory days of Sri Lankan hockey, which once rivalled the likes of India and Pakistan during the 1960s. SLMHA President Fouzul Hameed emphasised the tournament’s dual aim of boosting local hockey standards and promoting sports tourism.   

“We are thrilled to have Cargills come on board as our title sponsor for this historic tournament,” said Hameed. “Their support is instrumental in helping us elevate the profile of Masters hockey in the country and inspire the next generation of players.”  

“The main aim of this tournament is to promote the game of hockey in which Sri Lanka were next to India and Pakistan in the 1960s. We are trying to promote the game so that our next generation will have exposure to better skills,” Hameed said.   

“Also this tournament is to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for sports tourism. Based on the success of this tournament, we can bid for the Masters Hockey World Cup in the future where we can attract thousands of foreign visitors,” he added.  

The Masters International Cup will feature two Sri Lankan teams — Sri Lanka Gold, captained by former national player Saman Jayalath, and Sri Lanka Maroon, led by ex-national captain Nadith Kudagama. Among the 38 local players participating, nearly 30 are former national players — a strong sign of continuity, experience, and passion in the sport.  

“It’s heartening to see ex-national players still fit, passionate, and ready to represent the country,” Devendra added. “It’s great for their well-being, and for our youth to witness and learn from them.”  

Matches will be held in the evening, starting at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 9:00 p.m. each night, giving fans a rare chance to enjoy hockey under floodlights. “Each day will feature four matches alongside food stalls, entertainment, and a festive carnival atmosphere,” said Devendra.  

Looking ahead, both Cargills and SLMHA shared ambitions to grow the tournament and bid to host the Masters Hockey World Cup in Sri Lanka in the coming years.  

“If this is successful, next year we aim for six or eight countries. There are 22 countries with Masters hockey programmes globally — if we build the right infrastructure, Sri Lanka can be a key destination,” Devendra said.  

The tournament will cater to players aged 40 and above, showcasing their enduring passion and skills. A recent practice match between Sri Lanka Masters and the Air Force team ended in a tight 3-2 win for the Masters, underscoring the level of competition to be expected.