When the Government Services toppled the reigning hockey champions by DENNIS DE ROSAYRO Image source: MHA Sri Lanka Facebook page   Source:sundayobserver.lk One of the most unforgettable shocks in the field of hockey took place when Government Services toppled reigning champions Mercantile Hockey Association from their pedestal at the third National Hockey Championships of Ceylon in 1958. The tournament favourites were the Mercantile HA having shared the trophy with Matale in 1956 and beating Matale 1-0 in 1957 at Matale. A third time meeting was predicted again. But Government Services turned the form book upside down with a brilliant performance in the final. Pomp and pageantry in typical oriental style marked the opening ceremony. The teams clad in their playing kits strode in procession from the clock tower to the esplanade where the championships were held, escorted by motor cycles and preceded by Kandyan dancers and a majestically dressed elephant, carrying ...

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    Ceylon Hockey – PERIOD 1ST APRIL 1958 /31ST MARCH 1959 By Dennis de Rosayro President            –   Dr. W.R. Chanmugam Hony. Secretary –  Mr. T.M.N. Mahamooth Hony. Treasurer – Mr.  T.M.S. Sabireen Selection Committee – Mr. Wally de Zylva (Chairman), A.A. Virasinghe, George Mant, M.S. Jainnudeen, Lt. Col. Darley Ingleton Andriesz Shield (League)             Champions – Tamil Union C & AC Pioneer  Cup (K/Out)            Champions – Tamil Union C & AC National Match – 18.12.1958 – Madras H.A. beat Ceylon H.F. 2/0 Team – Fredrick White (Captain-Goalie), Pius Nanayakkara (R/B, Brian Assey (L/B), Dennis de Rosayro (R/H), M.H. Fuard (C/H), P.A. Hettiaratchi (L/H), L.P. Rayen (R/E), Ivan de Kretser (R/I)< Douglas Wijekoon (C/F), P.R. Balaratnarajah (L/I) G.H. Jayatissa (L/I). 3rd NATIONAL HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS OF CEYLON – 1958 Note: the above photo is for illustration purposes only of Mr Herbert Wijekoon and Mr Musheen – two of Ceylon’s hockey legends! ...

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Salute to a popular sportsman – Benjamin Vere La’Brooy – by Andrew Buultjens Benjamin Vere La’Brooy passed away into the Lord’s Realm on ….4th.October 2020. Benji, as he was popularly known,  enjoyed a most illustrious and colourful sports career whilst serving in the Sri Lanka Navy for 22 long years. His work, which he thoroughly revelled in, was in the sports and physical fitness sectors involving  organising, management, training and the implementation of sports programmes.    …………………Prior to retirement he was a senior Physical Training Instructor and served in many ships and shore establishments around the island. His recruitment to the Navy was at a time when the armed services were bristling with sportsmen and colourful personalities of various skills..The Navy, at this moment in time, was the showpiece of the nation and rightly so Benji was one of the jewels in its crown. His prowess at Hockey and Cricket earned him early recognition and just ...

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