The Sri Lanka National Hockey Championship – commonly known as the Hockey Nationals – is set to take place from 25-28 January at the Shalika Grounds in Colombo. Organised by the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation, this will be the 60th men’s and 30th women’s editions.
The event will go as the 2023 Hockey Nationals as it was originally scheduled for November last year. However, with the adverse weather conditions, the tournament was postponed. 15 men’s and seven women’s teams will compete for the ultimate championship this time around.
The tourney is also a trial for the selection of players for the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Asia Cup in February and March this year. The AHF Cup is a qualification tournament for the main event in the Asian Hockey calendar, the Asia Cup.
The men’s championship will comprise four groups while the women’s championship will be battled out in two groups.
Meanwhile goalkeeper trials (Colombo) for the AHF Asia Cup will be held on Saturday (6) at the Colombo Astro Turf starting at 8 a.m. Recently, the AHF donated United States dollars ($) 10,000 as a grant for the Sri Lanka National Women’s Hockey Team.
AHF Cup history
Both women’s and men’s editions started in 1997.
The Sri Lanka Women’s Team were runners-up in 2003.
The Sri Lanka Men’s Team clinched second place in 2016. They were placed third in 1997, 2002, 2012, and 2022. Defending champs Bangladesh are the most successful team, clinching four titles.
Asia Cup history (elite Asian tournament)
Japan are the defending women’s champions. South Korea and Japan are the most successful teams in the competition since 1985, winning three times each. Sri Lanka first fielded a women’s team in 2004.
South Korea – the reigning men’s champions – are the most decorated team, winning five titles since 1982. They are followed by neighbours and archrivals India and Pakistan winning thrice each. It was Pakistan and India who dominated throughout the 1980s, with Pakistan beating India in the inaugural edition in 1982, and then in 1985 and 1989. India started its championship glory in the 2000s. They won in 2003, 2007, and 2017.
Sri Lanka was one of the first teams to participate in 1982 along with Bangladesh, China, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Singapore. Sri Lanka are yet to make a top-three impact in both the men’s and women’s championships.