By boosting the hockey fever in the country, the 23rd Nijabima Satana Hockey Tournament (Vijaya All Island Inter-club Hockey 9’s Tournament) was concluded recently at the refurbished Nandimithra Ekanayake International Artificial Hockey Stadium (Astro Turf) in Matale. The event went across a couple of days, and after some exhilarating actions, the Vijaya College Boys, Air Force women and Navy men emerged as the champions.
The tournament brought another novel experience to the fans who were gathered in numbers to witness some high-quality hockey action. Many talented national players featured in the “Nijabima Satana” championship, and most of them are proud products of the schools from the Matale Hockey Fortress. The tournament was inaugurated in 1999, and it is being organised by the Old Boy’s Association of Vijaya College, Matale.
In the men’s open segment, SL Navy SC, SL Army SC, SL Police SC and SL Air Force SC booked their places in the semifinal by beating Mathara HC, SLSC (Army Regiment), SLSR (Army Regiment), and ESR (Army Regiment) sides, respectively.
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In the semifinals players failed to score any goals, and in the penalty shoot-out, SL Army SC and SL Navy SC secured their place in the final.
The much-awaited final lived up to every bit of its billing, and the Sri Lanka Navy scored early to take the lead. Further, the Navy SC scored another goal in the second half to put their side in the driving seat of the game. Until the last three minutes of the game, it looked like the victory was in the bag of the Navy, but the soldiers had some other plans. They scored a couple to equalise the game with just one minute remaining on the clock. In the nail-biting finish, Navy scored their winning goal by giving full enthusiasm to the spectators.
In addition to that, the Men’s Plate Championship was won by ESR (SL Army Regiment) at the penalty shootout after a goalless Bowl Final encounter.
In the women’s matches, experienced players from SL Air Force SC, Kandy Ladies Sports Club, SL Navy SC and SL Army SC managed to put their sides into the semifinals. SL Air Force SC and SL Navy SC outfits were composed of many national players, and they cruised into the final with dominating victories.
There was a close tussle in the final between two experienced forces. Air Force SC scored the first goal, and after a hard-fought effort, the Navy ladies made an equaliser just before full time. Hence, the game dragged to a penalty shootout, and Airwomen managed to wrap up the game as 3-1 after a clinical display.
Further, the organisers, Vijaya College, Matale, secured the under-18 schools title after edging out their hometown rivals St. Thomas’ College, Matale.
Match Results – Men’s Segment
Bowl Final
ESR (SL Army Regiment) 0 – 0 Matara HC (ESR won on penalty shots 3 – 2)
Cup Semifinals
SL Navy SC 0 – 0 SL Police SC (SL Navy won on penalty shots 1 – 0)
SL Army SC 0 – 0 SL Air Force SC (SL Army won on penalty shots 5 – 4)
Cup Finals
SL Navy SC 3 – 2 SL Army SC
Match Results – Women’s Segment
Cup Semifinals
SL Air Force SC 3 – 0 Kandy Ladies Sports Club
SL Navy SC 1 – 0 SL Army SC
Cup Finals
SL Air Force SC 1 – 1 SL Navy SC (SL Air Force SC won on penalty shots 3 – 1)
Match Results – Schools Under 18 boy’s
Cup Semifinals
Christ Church College, Matale was beaten by Vijaya College, Matale
Zahira College, Matale was beaten by St. Thomas’ College, Matale
Cup Final
Vijaya College, Matale 1 – 0 St. Thomas’ College, Matale
Women’s Segment, Champions – SL Air Force SC
Women’s Segment, Runners-up – SL Navy SC
Men’s Segment, Champions – SL Navy SC
Men’s Segment, Runners-up – SL Army SC
Individual awards for the players
- Women’s Best Goal Keeper – Mayurini Siriwardhane – SL Air Force SC
- Men’s Best Goal Keeper – A. G. D. Damith Thilakaratne – SL Navy SC
- Women’s Player of the tournament – Samadara Kumari – SL Navy SC
- Men’s Player of the tournament – Y. B. S. S. P. de Costa – SL Navy SC
 was concluded recently at the refurbished Nandimithra Ekanayake International Artificial Hockey Stadium (Astro Turf) in Matale. The event went across a couple of days, and after some exhilarating actions, the Vijaya College Boys, Air Force women and Navy men emerged as the champions.){kind=link}