Having dominated the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s as well as early 2000s, the Colombo Hockey and Football Club (CH & FC) is back in business with some amazing performances to kickstart the season, showcasing their potential to be a frontrunner in the title race after many decades of sorrow.
One of the first eight premier clubs in the island to start the league in the ’50s, rugby saw its origins at CH in 1879 when the Colombo Football Club was established, playing their first match against a ‘world’ team. Colombo Hockey was established in 1892.
In 1896, the football and hockey clubs combined to form the CH & FC. The club was based at the Colombo Race Course and catered to hockey and rugby football enthusiasts.
CH first competed in the Clifford Cup in 1950 and won the cup seven times, in the years 1957, 1960, 1962, 1982, 1983, 1990, and 1994. They were the losing finalist to Kandy in 2003 and 2005. They were the league champions in 1982 and 1988. CH again won the Premier League (then known as the John Player League) in 1990, 1992, and 1993.
CH & FC is one of the most prestigious, century-old clubs in the island nation, playing the oval ball game in the top division with a long-prided heritage. In its rich history as one of the oldest surviving clubs in Sri Lanka in the trio of the Gymkhana Club – CH & FC, CCC, and Queens Club – rugby union has played a major role, with many national players coming out of their system.
Having last won the league title in the new millennium of 2000 under Nazim Mohammed, CH have a 26-year drought to fill.
In 1962, when the Army acquired the grandstand and the race course, CH & FC moved to their current home at Maitland Crescent. Until 1965, all members and playing members of the club were required to be British; the club then allowed Ceylonese to join. In 1971, Bryan Baptist was appointed as the first Sri Lankan Captain of CH rugby.
As an elite top division rugby club in Sri Lanka, CH & FC can proudly call themselves the only club with a female Team Manager in the likes of Udani Edirisinghe, who has been carrying out her duties since the 2019/’20 season.
With their win against traditional rivals CR & FC and the last-gasp draw against the undisputed reigning champions Kandy, the unbeaten Gymkhana boys are brimming with confidence and look threatening in the run-up to the title.
CH & FC 2025/’26 – Key roles
- Captain – Janidu Dilshan
- Vice Captain – Maliksha Perera
- Co-Vice Captain – Danushka Malitha
- Head Coach – Rohitha Rajapaksa
- Assistant Coach – Henry Terence
- Backs Coach – Lakala Perera
- Trainer – Gayan Weeraratne
- Manager – Udani Edirisinghe
- Data Analyst and Rugby Statsman – Spencer Leon
Results (1st round)
- Beat Police SC 29-5
- Beat CR 34-32
- Drew 24-24 vs. Kandy
- Beat Navy 29-13
- Beat Army 43-25