Men’s Masters Hockey teams leave for World Cup Championships

The three teams with the President, Fouzul Hameed pose for a picture 

Men’s Over-35, 40 and 50 Masters Hockey teams left the Island yesterday (19) to participate at the Masters World Cup Hockey Championship 2026 scheduled to be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands from July 22 to August 1. The 2026 World Cup tour is facilitated by the Sri Lanka Masters National Hockey Association (SLMNHA), which is a member of the World Masters Hockey.

A press conference was held last week by SLMNHA to brief the media of their participation at the Colombo Cricket Club House, Maitland Crescent, Colombo 07.

Recognised as the World’s premier Masters Hockey Championship, this prestigious tournament brings together former National and International players from across the World. The 2026 edition will feature over 3600 athletes representing leading Hockey-playing nations Worldwide, along with more than 10,000 family members, supporters, officials and spectators, making it one of the largest Masters sporting events in the World.

This marks Sri Lanka’s fourth consecutive participation at the competition, following previous appearances in Barcelona, Spain (2018), Nottingham, United Kingdom (2022), and Auckland, New Zealand (2024).

For the first time in history, Sri Lanka will field three teams in the over-35, over-40 and 50 categories. During the preliminary stages of the tournament, the Sri Lanka teams will compete against the following nations.

Men’s over-35: Germany, Italy, South Africa and Wales.

Men’s over-40: France, Scotland, South Africa and India.

Men’s over-50: Chile, Scotland, Australia and England.

Former Veteran National Sticker Ashok Peiris will be the Coach of the teams while Duncan Devendra and M.M.M. Mueen will accompany the teams as the Secretary/Manager and Manager respectively. The over-35 team will be captained by Upul Fernando, the over-40 team by Anuruddha Wickramasinghe and the over-50 team by S.J. Vandalan. 

The Squads:

Over-35: Upul Fernando (Captain), Waruna Thilakarathna, Buddhi Maldeniya, Anushanga Shameera Ranaweera, Pumuditha Denis Sirimanne, Sahul Hameed Mohamed Fahad, Sachith Aravinda Gamhewage, Chanaka Kumara Mallikarathna, Ishara Kulathunga, Damith Madushanka Bandara, Sandaruwan Priyalanka, A.L. Gihan Denusha Peiris, Aliver Clive Fernando, and Pasan Mallawaarachchi.

Over-40: Anuruddha Wickramasinghe (Captain), Priyadharshan Giridaran, G.M.S.C. Gajanayaka, Sanjay Edgar Uduwara, Thilina Perera, Yohan Lewke, Maarlon De Alwis, Chaturanga Dinesh, Shakthi Rashiha, Dhanushka Udara Gunarathne, Prabash Narada Perera, Sherwin Moral, Pumega Kulatunga, Jiffry Irshad, Dinuka Nuwan Weerasinghe, and Joy Bernard.

Over-50: S.J. Vandalan (Captain), Duncan Devendra, Navin Marapana, Lalinda Kulatunga, Sampath Subasinghe, Manuja Gunawardana, D.C. Perera, V.Balagobi, Mohamed Hanas, Shihar Aneez, Praveen Chanaka Jayasekera, Kudagamage Nadith Kudagama, Lushantha Perera, Kasun Herath, Abdul Akthar Irshad, Sumith Jayasena, E.A.M.R.A.K. Elahena, and Shammika Meegahapola.

(BM)