Sri Lanka Masters women’s national hockey team to compete in World Cup

For the first time, a Sri Lanka Masters women national hockey team will be competing in the EXIN Masters World Cup being held in Barcelona, Spain from 27 July to 5 August 2018.

The EXIN Masters World Cup is the field hockey world cup for Masters national teams from all over the world and takes place every two years. The event has been promoted by the International Masters Hockey Association (IMHA) since 2012 and recognised worldwide by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The EXIN Masters World Cup is the world’s biggest event of its kind with teams from across the world taking part in several age categories.

The Sri Lanka Masters Women will compete in the +35 category against formidable opponents such as Australia, England, New Zealand, Ghana, the US and hosts Spain. The team is led by former five-time national hockey captain Sobitha Mendis and coached by a former national hockey captain M.G.M Naleem.

“We are extremely proud and excited to be representing Sri Lanka at the EXIN Masters World Cup for the very first time,” said Sobitha Mendis, Captain of the Sri Lanka Masters Women National Hockey team. 

“Our team comprises veterans who have brought glory and fame to Sri Lanka on the hockey field in the past. We are determined to try our best and bring glory to our motherland this time.”

The participation of this team at the World Cup became a reality due to the constant lobbying and tireless efforts of the newly-formed Sri Lanka Masters Women National Hockey Association (SLMWNHA). The association was formed by a strong group of ex-national hockey team players under the patronage of Minister Rauff Hakeem who has been guiding the Executive Committee since its inception. “Our main objective is to look into the wellbeing of our past national hockey players and provide them with an opportunity to display their talents globally,” said SLMWNHA Secretary Ruwaiza Sela. 

“We are confident that the participation of our team at the World Cup will open many more doors for us.”

The association is currently on the lookout for corporates and brands willing to come forward and sponsor the team as they embark on their World Cup journey.