Over here in Kandy hockey was the first sports to be back in action following cancellations and postponements due to the corona virus pandemic. A men’s and women’s hockey tournament was played at the Digana grounds on Thursday,where six men’s and three women’s teams were seen in action, more teams were expected but there were only nine teams who were seen in action.
The tournament was an 11-a-side affair and featured many talented Kandy school products. The COVID-19pandemic has caused the most significant disruption to the sporting calendar over here in Kandy, due to that, sports events have been cancelled or postponed. Due to this fans have no games to watch and players no games to play.
 The Men’s champions Old Kingwoodians |
The men’s teams which took part were Old Kingswoodains, KH & FC, Old Rajans, Old Sylvestrians, Old Sri Sumagalians and Green Park SC and in women’s it was only three teams Seethadevi HC, Devians HC and Old St Anthony’s Convent S.C.
This tournament was organized by the Central Province Sports Ministry, a big hand should go to them for bringing back a sporting event. At the end it was Old Kingswoodians who beat their arch rivals 0ld Rajans by 3-0 in the final to win the men’s event and Seethadevi SC who beat Devians SC 2-1 in the women’s event.
Hockey in Kandy dates back to 1907, when the Indian Rajput Regiments occupied the Kandy Military Barracks, currently known as Police Barracks, were wanting to play hockey, almost every evening, and they did so. During that time St. Anthony’s College was housed at the present St. Sylvester’s College premises and they used the barracks square for all their sports. The boys of that era took to the game and tried their hand at knocking the ball about with a borrowed stick or two. The fearless youngsters found some places vacant whenever the military men did not turn up. At that time, there was no clubs or tournaments, the Indians who were on military duty played hockey by themselves. After their departure there was no hockey. Then later in 1930’s the game came back, and today at school level the game is at it s best and also at club level with Kandy District Hockey Associati on giving of their best for the game.
