“The Sri Lanka Hockey Federation (SLHF) has failed to promote Women’s hockey in the island. After leaving school hockey players are left high and dry. The Mercantile HA promoted women’s hockey by fielding sides at the Nationals and so did the Colombo HA. Kandy HA is also doing its utmost to further the game in their district. But they have limited resources,” said Marlene Machado, the former Sri Lankan hockey Star in an interview with the Sunday Times.
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| Marlene Machado |
Continuing Marlene said: “The Sri Lanka Women’s Hockey Association (SLWHA) comes under the purview of the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation (SLHF).
Sadly the SLHF has to take the blame for the decline in the standard of women’s hockey.” Continuing a rather agitated Marlene said, “Until 2001 the Sri Lanka Women’s Hockey Association was an independent body and subsequently the SLHF took over its administration.
Competitions such as the Wynne Jones Tournament, the Vythiyalingam Trophy, Major B.R Heyn's trophy contest and Cyril Reeves seven-a-side competition and tournaments conducted by the Kandy HA and Colombo HA kept the game alive in the past.
Since the Federation took over none of these competitions have been held. As a result the gap between school leavers and club level has widened,” lamented Marlene. “One sure way to promote women’s hockey is to have a constant pool of players in training,” observed Marlene.
To a question how women’s hockey could be given a fresh lease of life in the country Marlene said: “Hand over the game to those who are genuinely interested in promoting it. There are still some stalwarts who are keen to give the game another ‘life’.For a start they can be summoned. They know the limits Sri Lanka women’s hockey can rise to.
“For instance Nimal Ettipola has been a live-wire and still continues to be actively involved in the game. I was a selector from 1994 to 2004 and was kicked out by the SLHF at that time and Jennifer Todd migrated to Singapore and Nimal has been the only survivor thereafter.
“Nimal Ettipola is the daughter of Walter Jayasuriya, who is referred to as the ‘Father of Sri Lanka Hockey’ as Walter had been instrumental in introducing hockey to Sri Lanka after having studied the game in India .
“There are some good coaches at present such as Rohan Dissanayake, M. Ashroff, S. Ittapane, M.H.M. Mulafer and K. Dharmaratna who can take the Women’s’ team to better heights.” Marlene had a word of praise to the Navy and the Air Force who had been recruiting women hockey players recently. “They have been fielding two women’s hockey teams in whatever competitions held so far. This is very encouraging.”
“I suggest that office-bearers to the SLHF should not hold office for more than two years at a stretch. Let everybody have a chance.” Then as if an afterthought had struck her, she burst out: “All sports should be served by players who have represented the country with much sacrifice and commitment.
They know the value of sports. Leave out those half-baked officials. I say this to all controlling bodies – cricket, rugby, hockey, athletics etc.” Going down memory lane Marlene, reminisced about the past.
“I started playing Hockey whilst studying at Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya (1965 to ‘69), I captained the School and thereafter the Combined Schools Team against visiting teams from India and Malaysia, and also played a lead role in the Up-Country - Low Country matches and captained the Low Country team as well.
Marlene toured India with the Sri Lanka team in 1974, to 1977 and was selected to play in the Asian XI along with Mallika Jayawardena in 1976.
Sri Lanka Women’s Hockey Association organized a Mini Asian Hockey Tournament with the late Ms. Trixie Jayasuriya at the helm. “In this Tournament at the CCC Grounds, we beat India by penalty strokes in the Semis and lost to the strong Japanese side in the Final.’ Marlene thanked Mr. A N Perera for his committed coaching in this tournament. Marlene also represented Sri Lanka during their tours to Thailand, Malaysia Singapore and India.
“Some of my senior contempories at that time were Zohara Jumar, Muriel Reith and Valerie Lieversz. All of them captained Sri Lanka.” Marlene also had a word of praise to her coaches Brian Assey, Nihal Nilaweera, Trixie Jayasuriya and Dotty De Costa.
Marlene had had an outstanding career in the field as a Player, subsequently as the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Women’s Hockey Association, as a Selector in the SLHF, Manager of the Women’s team on tours. With all this exposure and experience Marlene has been side lined from the game. |
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