OTHU promotes indoor hockey

The Old Thomians Hockey Union (OTHU) as a first step to introduce and to popularise indoor hockey to schools, held a workshop at S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia Sports Complex.

The workshop was conducted by Japp Syuk, a former Dutch international. He was assisted by I. Vikneswaran, a former Malaysian International and professional coach and this workshop was for the schoolboys from S. Thomas’ Mt. Lavinia and St. Thomas’s, Matale.

The Dutch professional Suyk first explained the rules and regulations of the game to the participants and later the two coaches demonstrated the techniques of the game that will be introduced. Played with a lighter weight stick and a hockey ball with five- players-side in a 40x20 wooden surfaced court where only push passes are allowed.

At the conclusion of the workshop the Holland international said that indoor hockey is a game that is been played in over 40 countries and played in the Olympics. He further went on to say that the standard of the schoolboys is very high and he is planning to conduct workshops in every district and to organise inter-schools tournament in the very near future.

OTHU President Amitha Abeynaike, further stated that indoor hockey is new to the country and as first step they organised a camp at STC, Mount Lavinia and invited the boy’s from STC, Matale, this district is well known for hockey as a sport. “We are planning to organise a schools invitation tournament along the old boys from these respective schools.”

Asanka Perera, Sub Warden of S. Thomas’, graced the occasion along with the director of sports, coaches, master in charge of hockey at the school.