AHF grants USD 10,000 to Sri Lanka women’s hockey team

In a historic move, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has awarded a financial grant of USD 10,000 to the Sri Lanka Women’s Hockey Team. The funds were disbursed equally among the players in a special event organized at the Hockey Federation Headquarters in Colombo 7 on Tuesday. State Minister of Sports Rohana Dissanayake graced the occasion.

This grant, marking the first financial assistance from AHF to Sri Lanka, was a gesture of honour and appreciation for the Sri Lanka Women’s Hockey Team’s remarkable participation in the 2022 June Jakarta Asian Games Qualifying Round. Despite facing significant financial challenges in the country, the team secured qualification for the 2023 Asian Games.

The initiative took shape during the Asian Hockey Federation Congress held in Seoul, South Korea, in March of this year. Sri Lanka Hockey Federation President P. Vishwanathan engaged in cordial discussions with the AHF President, highlighting the financial difficulties faced by Sri Lanka despite both the men’s and women’s teams qualifying for the Asian Games. AHF recognized and appreciated their dedication during the Asian Games Qualifier Tournament in Indonesia in 2022.

During the AHF Congress, the Sri Lanka Women’s Hockey Team was acknowledged for their outstanding participation in the Qualifier Tournament held in Indonesia in 2022. The AHF President praised their commitment during the qualifying round and announced the award of USD 10,000, along with two trophies, for the team.

The funds were transferred to the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation account last month, totaling approximately Rs 3.2 million (Rs 3,269,900/-. In a commendable move, Sri Lanka Hockey Federation dedicated Rs 184,000 to each member of the 18-member women’s hockey team. Federation President P. Vishwanathan ensured the swift disbursement of funds before the festive season.

Hockey President P. Vishwanathan reflected on the challenges faced by Sri Lanka during the Qualifying Round in Indonesia, citing economic crises in the contry and a lack of funds in the Hockey Federation.

Despite these challenges, the team managed to participate with the support of individual player contributions and the National Olympic Committee’s fund contribution to the Asian Hockey Federation.

Unfortunately, even though the Sri Lanka men’s and women’s hockey teams qualified, they couldn’t go to the Asian Games in China in 2023. This decision was made together by the National Sports Council, National Selection Committee, NOC, and the Sports Ministry because of the financial problems the country has been facing recently.

Sri Lanka women’s hockey team: 1 GGP Nilmni (captain), 2 SS Jones (vice captain), 3 MJAP Upeksha, 4 Shanika Prabhashini, 5 PK de Silva, 6 T Kirushanthini, 7 SC Kumari, 8 NK Wijeratne, 9 Ishara Fernando, 10 IM Ratnayake, 11 NS Warigadehetti, 12 Neeliya Kaushini, 13 AK Atipola, 14 Dewdu Samudra, 15 Dilhara Perera, 16 NS Silva, 17 Thamashi Gurudeniya, 18 KV Kaluarachchi.

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