Matale honours 10 hockey greats
The Golden Awards Ceremony to pay tribute to ten past hockey players of national and international fame produced from Matale, organisd by the Matale Old Thomians Hockey Association (MOTHA) took place at the Grand City Hotel in Matale last Saturday. The president of MOTHA, P. Vasudevan is his welcome address expressed his sincere and deep gratitude to the past hockey players who still stand tall as a landmark in Matale’s hockey history. He also appreciated the contributions made by them as players, mentors, national coaches and selectors to promote and uplift hockey at school and national level.
On behalf of MOTHA, the president presented each of the ten players, who were instrumental in laying the foundation for organised hockey at Matale way back in 1950 – namely Herbert Wijekoon, Ranjith Wijekoon, Sarath Wimalasinghe, Sunil Deegahawatura, Dr. Tilak Ranaweera, Ranjith Alahakoon, R.S. Somasekeran (Matale Old Thomians), P. Hettiarachchi, V.H. Jayatissa (Old Vijayans Matale) and A.J.M. Farook (Old Zahirians Matale) with a beautiful plaque and a certificate of appreciation.
Past hockey players of Matale with members of the Executive Committee MOTHA. Standing from left: Lalith Karunadasa (Treasurer MOTHA), Mahinda Amunugama (President Matale Old Thomians Association), Eric Hulangamuwa (Sec MOTHA), T. Ranaweera, SarathWimalasinghe, Sunil Deegahawatura, P. Vasudevan (President MOTHA), Indrawansa Herath (Tournament Director). SEATED: Ranjith Alahakoon,P. Hettiarachchi, Hector Wijekoon, Ranjith Wijekoon and A.J.M. Farook.