The Annual Inter School Blue and Gold Hockey 7s organized by the Royal College Hockey Club was held for the 14th time on the 7th and 8th of November at the college main grounds. Around 56 schools from all over the country participated in this 7-a-side Hockey tournament, each with a team of 9 players. The tournament which received the patronage of both the Sri Lanka Schools’ Hockey Association and the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation, displayed a grand exhibition of hockey with skillful and talented players showing their prowess culminated with grit, spirit and glamour.

Day 1 started off with the march past of players followed by the opening ceremony. The chief guest for the ceremony was Mr. Chitral Perera, Director Human Resources, Singer Sri Lanka and the guest of honour was Mr. M.I. De Silva. Played in two stages, the tournament included a first stage preliminary league where the teams were drawn in to eight groups with the winners and runners-up moving on to the second stage which was played on a knockout basis. At the end of day 1 only 16 boys teams and 16 girls teams were standing with a chance of being titled as champions.

Day 2 started off with the pre-quarter finals and went on to the quarter finals then the semifinals and finally it was time for the cup finals. The Girls’ Cup final was played between Seethadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kandy and Bishops college, Colombo and the Boys’ Cup final was played between Jeseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa and Nalanda College, Colombo.

The Girls’ Cup final was a one-sided affair as Seethadevi dominated the match from the beginning. The girls from Kandy proved their superiority in all aspects of the game, not giving their opponents Bishops College a single chance to score. The final score was 4-0 to Seethadevi. Shehani Fernando was awarded the Most Outstanding Player (girls) while their captain Sakunthala Illeperuma won the Best Goalkeeper’s award.

Nalanda beat St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa by two goals to one in the Cup final after a scoreless first half where both teams fought hard to overcome each other. It was a really tough game towards the latter part and Nalanda scored the winning goal off a penalty corner shortly before the final whistle, clinching the title for the first time in the tournament’s history. Jeewantha Pasan of Nalanda College was adjudged the Most Outstanding Player (boys) while Chamalka Rukshan of Joseph Vaz was picked as the Best Goal Keeper.

The tournament ended with a colourful closing ceremony. The Chief Guest for the evening was Mr. Kumar Samarasinghe, Director Sales, Singer Sri lanka.