Balagobi re-elected as Mercantile Hockey Association President

Thursday, 27 March 2025 02:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Vengadasalam Balagobi

Continuing his leadership at the Mercantile Hockey Association (MHA), Vengadasalam Balagobi from Deloitte was re-elected President for the third consecutive term at its 69th Annual General Meeting (AGM), successfully held at the Burgher Recreation Club recently.

In other key appointments, Yogendran Suganthan of Sampath Bank PLC was elected Secretary, while Mohamed Hanas, the former Secretary from Singer Sri Lanka PLC, was appointed a Vice President. The other Vice Presidents elected for the term include Christopher Tissera (Ex-Allianz), Ajith De Silva (Brown & Company PLC), Chandana Weragama (Sampath Bank PLC), and Sumith Jayasena (Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC).

Sameera Ushantha from Sampath Bank PLC was re-elected as Treasurer, continuing his role in managing the Association’s finances. Additionally, Vishwa Prabhath from Brown & Company PLC was elected Assistant Secretary, while Deepike Kariyawasam of Hayleys PLC retained the position of Assistant Treasurer.

The AGM also saw the nomination of Juragan Majid from Expo Ceylon Pharmaceuticals as a Vice Patron, alongside other notable Vice Patrons, including Deva Ellepola from Bartleet Religare Securities, Tharaka Ranwala from Sampath Bank PLC, Ramesh Schaffter from Janashakthi Insurance PLC, Manjula Wijemanne from Convey Group Ltd., Iqram Cuttilan from Aitken Spence, and Kumar De Silva from Ex-GSK.

Established on 31 March 1957, the MHA has a rich legacy in Sri Lankan hockey, conducting four major tournaments annually – the Mercantile Hockey League Tournament, the Knockout Tournament, the 9-a-side Tournament, and the prestigious 7-a-side Tournament, recognised as the oldest of its kind in Sri Lanka. The MHA hockey team also competes annually in the Sri Lanka Hockey Nationals in both Junior and Senior categories, with both teams emerging as runners-up in those tournaments last year. (SJ)