18th Ananda-Nalanda Hockey Encounter to take place today

Chamod Gunasekera (Ananda) and Hemal Keheliya (Nalanda) with the trophy

Text and pic by P.D. De Silva

The 18th hockey encounter between Ananda College and Nalanda College will take place at the Astro Turf Hockey Complex in Reid Avenue today.

The series, whose first encounter was in 1990, is played for the M.W. Karunananda trophy. Nalanda led the series with 11 wins to Ananda’s five, while another encounter ended in a draw.

Chamod Gunasekera leads the Ananda team this year while the Nalanda stickers are led by Hemal Keheliya.

Ananda will be depending on vice-captain Osan Liyanage, Harinsu Bandara, Nirodha Liyanarachchi and Dilusha Alwis, while Nalanda are strengthened by Ishan Dananjaya and Indira Bandara.