SL Masters Women stickers go from strength to strength
Sri Lanka Masters Women National Hockey Association (SLMWNHA), the female arm of Sri Lanka Masters Hockey has made great strides since kick-starting their journey in October 2017. Sri Lanka Masters Hockey was founded by a group of male hockey veterans in 2015, and in 2019, the ladies joined hands with them following their participating at the 2018 Masters World Cup; a first in Sri Lankan Masters Hockey history.
Sri Lanka Masters Women had the distinction of being the only female Asian team to compete in the 2018 Masters World Cup Championship held in Spain. The opportunity to rub shoulders with players of several major hockey-playing nations was cherished enormously by the players who had overcome various obstacles to reach such a stage. Former International Masters Hockey Association President, Glenn Platon personally met the Sri Lankan ladies during the tournament and exchanged pleasantries while also wishing that India was a part of the tournament like the Sri Lankans.
On October 18, 2017, an enthusiastic group of lady hockey players that included many ex-national representatives took the initiative to invigorate the sport among females. A number of former National Captains and Vicecaptains from different eras came forward to provide leadership to SLMWNHA as they were taking their initial steps.
In December 2017, the lady hockey players formed a team to take part in the ‘Pesta’ tournament in Malaysia and stepped out of the country for the first time as the Sri Lanka Masters Women Hockey team. After the team’s return, Masters Women competed in a few popular local tournaments to encourage female hockey players above the age of 35 to re-enter into the field and also to boost interest among many young female hockey players in the country.
August 2018 proved to be a historic month for Masters Hockey in Sri Lanka as both Masters Men’s and Women’s teams participated at the 2018 Masters World Cup in Spain. It was a moment of great satisfaction for the ladies who had faced many hardships in their journey. Teammates living in different parts of the island and the lack of proper facilities including a pitch to practice on were barriers held in common.
After their return, they found many western countries wanting to help Sri Lanka Hockey. Catia Koller a former Swiss National Hockey player, after witnessing the Masters Women’s thirst to develop hockey in the country, came forward to assist in sourcing field hockey equipment to be given to Girls’ schools with limited facilities.
In 2019 August, Imtiaz Jamaldeen, a former hockey enthusiast who lives in Perth, Australia, was instrumental in having the ladies visit Western Australia to meet the Western Australian Masters Women’s players. Western Australia is known as the hub of hockey in Australia. The players received a wealth of knowledge and training courtesy of three highprofile coaches and gained excellent exposure playing alongside the Western Australian Masters Hockey players as part of a programme that covered 13 constructive days.
Sri Lanka Masters Women organised a tournament in December 2019 – the second tournament they had organised – during which hockey equipment and needs for six girls’ schools were distributed. The highlight of the event was having a girls’ school from Jaffna participate in their tournament.eleven high-profile coaches (past and present) were felicitated with commemorative plaques for their contribution towards manoeuvering Sri Lankan women with passion towards the sport while allowing them to realize their maximum potential regardless of gender.
This tournament was also a part of the selection process to compile a 50-member squad to participate at the 2021 Masters World Cup in the United Kingdom. On this occasion, Sri Lanka Masters Women intend on representing Sri Lanka with two teams to make a bigger impression for the country.
“We have walked this far to give a brighter hope for this game in Sri Lanka. Older hockey players being part of the game still itself is testimony to encourage participation in the sport for the youngsters,” said Ruwaiza Sela the Secretary for the women’s group.
With outdoor training coming to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the women’s players have been following a programme devised by international coordinator Harshani Gunarathna in order to maintain their physical fitness while also engaging in zoom sessions on diet and fitness conducted by Dr. Jayanthi Anupama who is a Hockey player herself.
August 2018 proved to be a historic month for Masters Hockey in Sri Lanka as both Masters Men’s and Women’s teams participated at the 2018 Masters World Cup in Spain. It was a moment of great satisfaction for the ladies who had faced many hardships in their journey