The Sri Lankan Under-18 national teams (boys and girls) have flown to China to participate in the Men’s and Women’s U18 Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to be held from July 3rd to 13th in Dazhou, China.
Notably, this marks the first time in almost fourteen years that the Sri Lankan Under-18 national teams are participating in this prestigious tournament. This marquee event promises to be a thrilling showcase of Asia’s emerging hockey talent, as young stars compete for continental glory.
Men’s Tournament
Featuring a strong lineup of 11 nations, the men’s tournament is expected to deliver intense matchups and high-level competition as teams vie for the title and valuable international ranking points. The Sri Lankan lads will face tough challenges from globally top-ranked teams such as India, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia.
The Sri Lankan team will be led by the dynamic Shenal Kaveesha from St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa, with Kandyan native Arkam Rifaz from Trinity College serving as vice captain.
Pool A : Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong China
Pool B : Malaysia, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan
Sri Lanka U18 Junior Men’s Squad (Sri Lanka Hockey Federation)
1 D.Shenal Kaveesha (Captain) – St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa
2 M.R.M Arkam Rifaz (Vice Captain) – Trinity College, Kandy
3 Mbd Gunawardane – Christ Church College, Matale
4 S.A Anthonypillai – Royal College, Colombo
5 Induwara Savior – St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa
6 Wishva Uchitha – Dharmadutha College, Badulla
7 D Anjana – St. Joseph’s College, Colombo
8 M.S Yusuf – Royal College, Colombo
9 M.F.A Ahamed – Royal College, Colombo
10 M.B.M.D Basnayake – St. Thomas College, Matale
11 B Piyumal – Dharmadutha College, Badulla
12 B Gogulnath – Trinity College, Kandy
13 U Herath – Vijaya College, Matale
14 Sithum Nirodha Fernando – St. Joseph Vaz College,Wennappuwa
15 N.T De Silva – Richmond College, Galle
16 R Kogul – St. Joseph’s College, Colombo
17 S.J Nathenia – St. John’s College, Jaffna
18 U.D.C Ekanayake – Vidyartha College, Kandy
Officials
1 Team Manager – Dhanushka Bandara
2 Head Coach – Jiffery Mohomed Irshad
3 Assistant Coach – Darshana Malin De Silva
4 Analyst – Kavindu Nayomal
5 Teacher In Charge – Thanuja Nimanthi Kumari
Men’s Fixtures
Sri Lanka vs China – 3rd July
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – 5th July
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – 6th July
Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong China – 9th July
Semi finals and Placement matches – 10th and 11th July
Placement Finals – 12th July
The Finals – 13 th July
Women’s Tournament
The women’s competition will feature eight national sides, with powerhouse teams like Japan and China set to clash with rising challengers from across Asia. The Sri Lankan lasses will compete against global hockey giants such as China, India, South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia.
The Sri Lankan girls’ outfit will be captained by the energetic Nesadhi Hirushika of Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala, while Tharushika Subasinghe of Holy Family Convent, Wennappuwa, will serve as her deputy.
Pool A : Japan, Hong Kong China, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan
Pool B : China, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan
Sri Lanka U18 Junior Women’s Squad (Sri Lanka Hockey Federation)
1 S.M Nesadhi Hirushika (Captain) – Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala
2 S.A.S Tharushika Subasinghe (Vice Captain) – Holy Family Convent, Wennappuwa
3 S.D Viharagedara – Seethadevi Girls College, Kandy
4 H.P Sanaya – Southlands College, Galle
5 T.B Kalansooriya – Southlands College, Galle
6 M.M.S Himansi Peris – Holy Family Convent, Wennappuwa
7 L.G.T Kaushalya – Panadura Balika Maha Vidyalaya
8 Maika Tennakoon – Bishops College, Colombo
9 Rashini Dewmini – Southlands College, Galle
10 Vinuri Nanayakkara – Musaeus College
11 S.M.L Senaya Dedunu – Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala
12 Dihini Bamunusinghe – Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo
13 K.G.W Jayasinghe – Sangamiththa College, Matale
14 Divyanjali Dewmini – Musaeus College, Colombo
15 W.M.N Wijesooriya – Christchurch College, Matale
16 H.M.Y Bandara – Sangamiththa College, Matale
17 Janudhi Geeganage – Musaeus College, Colombo
18 Keshani Perera – Musaeus College, Colombo
Officials
1 Manoj Dilhan – Team Manager
2 Ajith Bandara Godigamuwa – Head Coach
3 Chathura Kelum Rupasinghe – Assistant Coach
4 Kavindu Nayomal – Analyst
5 Thanuja Nimanthi Kumari – Teacher In Charge
Women’s Fixtures
Sri Lanka vs China – 4th July
Sri Lanka vs Kazakhstan – 5th July
Sri Lanka vs Chinese Taipei – 7th July
Semi finals – 10th and 11th July
Placement Finals – 12th July
The Finals – 13 th July
Furthermore, a Sri Lankan trio will make Mother Sri Lanka proud by representing the match officials panel. Mr. M.J.M. Naushad will serve as the Umpires’ Manager, while Mr. Akalanka Ishan and Ms. Chamini Gunawardhana will officiate as umpires.
Vision Care, Sri Lanka’s largest provider of vision, hearing, and eyewear solutions, is the proud sponsor of the national teams, demonstrating their commitment and generosity. This valuable sponsorship stands as a testament to their unwavering support for empowering youth and helping Sri Lankan talent excel on the international stage.
 took a flight to China to participate in the Men’s and Women’s U18 Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to be held from 3rd to 13th July 2025 in Dazhou, China.){kind=link}