Colombo, Jan 7, 6.35PM: The Sri Lanka Hockey Federation unveiled its plans for the second round of selections for the Under-21 Youth Asia Cup Hockey Championship, targeting talented girls. Scheduled for January 15 at the Astro Turf in Racecourse, the event promises a day filled with excitement, running from 8 AM to 6 PM.
A total of 54 girls, carefully chosen from initial trial rounds and those who appealed before December 29, will participate in this crucial selection round. These are players who missed the cut in the first round. Initial trials, held in Galle, Colombo, Matale, and Wennapuwa, resulted in the selection of 54 girls and 74 boys. From this pool, two 32-member teams for both boys and girls will be shortlisted.
The boys’ preliminary round identified 74 players, and the second round of selection, narrowing down to 32 members, is set for the weekend of January 20 and 21, as announced by the Federation.
Anuruddha Wickremasinghe, Chairman of the Hockey Selection Committee, shared, “Our goal is to form two teams of 32 members each, creating a total of 64 players. This extended team period will enable them to work closely with coaches, fostering teamwork and growth.”
The Federation aims to enhance competition among the shortlisted 32-member teams. Wickremasinghe emphasized, “Coaches will assess players’ unique qualities and suitability for specific positions through game performances. Final selections will be made after discussions with the coaches.”
Noteworthy, goalkeeper selections took place on January 6, resulting in the selection of four girls and seven boys. Seven girls and 11 boys participated in the goalkeeper selection trial at the Astro Turf in Colombo. The Federation remains committed to ensuring a comprehensive and competitive selection process, establishing a solid foundation for the upcoming Asian Youth Championship. Details regarding dates and venues for the championship will be announced by the Asian Hockey Federation.
