\”You only see obstacles when you take your eyes off the goal.\”
Hockey is a sport which two teams play against each other by trying to manoeuvre a ball or a puck into the opponent\’s goal using a hockey stick .There are eleven players in a team which includes a goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and attackers.The only player on the field who is allowed to use their feet and hands as well as their stick is the goalkeeper.
Hockey is a very fast and exciting sport. Its players skate at very high speeds, running into each other with great force. A bunch of players run towards the goal with sticks in their hands. A ball is passed so fast to a vacant player that even we require the eyes of an eagle to keep our eye on the ball. A speedy swing of stick and it hits the ball with a dashing sound and when the goal keeper of the opposing team hasn\’t a chance to even see the ball, it has reached the goal to score a point.
Hockey has been one of the most attractive and best performing sport in our university.They have proved to be one of the best boys\’ and girls\’ university hockey teams performing for the university games with innumerable achievements throught the history.There is nothing impossible, infact, the harder it becomes, the more memorable the results will be .Team spirit is one of the major secrets behind their success .A successful team beats with one heart.The hockey teams of the university of Sri Jayewardenepura are some of the prominent champions in university history.
The men\’s team won the championship at the Sri lankan University Games (SLUG) in 2013 and the 2nd runner-up in SLUG 2016. They also won the championship at KDU 7\’s which was conducted by the Kothalawala Defense University in 2016 and 2017 while in 2018 they were the runner-up. Apart from those astounding victories , the men\’s team was able to secure championship at Pera 7\’s which was conducted by the university of Peradeniya in 2017 and was placed 3rd in 2018. They also secured the 2nd place at the Inter- University games in 2017 and won the 3rd place at the Colombo League C division . Furthermore, the men\’s team was placed 2nd at Mora 7\’s which was conducted by the University of Moratuwa in 2018 . Finally, at Mora 9\’s hockey tournament in 2020, they became the runner- up.
Equalizing with the spirit of men\’s team, the women\’s hockey team of USJ has equally performed well in the arena.They were able to win the championship in SLUG 2013 and runner-up in SLUG 2019 . They also secured the 2nd runner-up at the Inter-University Games in 2015 and the championship in 2017. They were also placed the 2nd at the Mora 7\’s which was conducted by the university of Moratuwa in 2015 and 2017 . Last but not the least, they have managed to become the runner-up at the Mora 9\’s hockey tournament in 2020
The university of sri Jayewardenepura is equipped with a skillful community of hockey players who have performed well in the past years.Team spirit fires up each player\’s talents.
Each and every year both our men\’s and women\’s teams consist of national level hockey players and many of our team players also participate in senior national hockey tournaments representing combined university hockey team.
Behind every brilliant player is a brilliant coach. Mohommed Jesmin Mohommed Nawshad is their dedicated coach and both hockey teams of USJ have had the privilege of being guided by their dedicated coach.
His coaching period is nearly 10 years and he has been the force behind their victories. He is also a former national hockey player who has represented Sri lanka for many international tournaments.
Currently, Mr Nawshad represents the International Hockey Federation as a reputed umpire. In Sri Lanka, there are few such international umpires. He conducts coaching sessions for many leading schools, sports clubs and banks such as Wesley College, Sampath Bank.
B.M.C Nuwan Niroshana,who acts as the master- in- charge of the team has also been an inspiration and a constant motivation.
He was one of the brilliant former sportsman in our university . He has displayed his talents in many fields of cricket ,athletic and rugby. He is such a committed master-in-charge and physical instructor who has been a great force behind their achievements. They express their sincere gratitude towards everyone who have dedicated their valuable time and effort in building courage, confidence and motivation among these youngsters in making their dream a reality.
\”Every day is a new opportunity you can use to build on yesterday\’s success or put its failures behind and start over again. That\’s the way life is,with a new game every day\”. As proud children of Mother Japura, the dedication and hard work of both teams are undoubedly the reason for these achievements and we congratulate them in all their future endeavors so that they bring more glory to Mother Japura. We, the flamians wish them all the very best for a successful journey.
Written by: Krishani Chamodhika
Graphic designed by : Jithmi Rajapaksha