Interview: Kumar de Silva, Mercantile Hockey Association, Sri Lanka
A century-long heritage, an ambitious future and the impact of turf on Sri Lankan hockey
Following the recent installation of Poligras turfs in Matale and Colombo in Sri Lanka, we sat down with Kumar da Silva, one of the country’s most respected hockey stalwarts to reflect on Sri Lanka’s hockey history, current challenges, and the game-changing impact of new infrastructure.
Kumar de Silva’s life has been intricately entwined with the game of hockey, from a young player in rural Sri Lanka to the captain of the Sri Lanka Schools team 1982, and eventually, a national administrator and vice-patron of the Mercantile Hockey Association.
With decades of experience both on and off the field, Kumar has witnessed the sport’s highs and lows first-hand and remains passionate about nurturing its future.
Colombo Burgher Recreation Club, Pioneer Cup Winners 1957
Let’s start with the roots. When did hockey first take hold in Sri Lanka?
Hockey has a very long history in Sri Lanka. It dates to the colonial era, around 1874. It began in the central province, mostly among the military garrisons. From there, it spread to Central province, Colombo, and other regions. The club I played for, Colombo Burgher Recreation Club, has records of captains going back to 1924. So, the game has been here for more than a century, even if the official Sri Lanka identity came post-1972. Before that, it was called Ceylon.
And on the international stage? When did Sri Lanka start competing in events like the Asian Games?
Sri Lanka started competing in the Asian Games in 1958. We’ve had some strong showings, 7th place in 1966, 5th in 1970, and we’ve kept appearing consistently since. In fact, from 1959 to 1960, when we were still known as Ceylon, we were ranked 5th in the world. That’s a major achievement that we’re very proud of.
“My dream is for Sri Lanka to be ranked in the top five in Asia within the next five or six years. We’re currently behind India, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, and China, but we can catch up.”
What does the hockey scene look like today: who plays, and where is it played?
The Sri Lanka men’s national Championship started in 1956, and the Junior Championship in 1973. The Women's Championship was inaugurated in 1990.
Hockey is played at the school, club, district, and national levels. We have more than 150 schools playing, though that’s just about 1.5% of all schools in Sri Lanka. Children start young, but many stop after school due to a lack of support and infrastructure. We also have strong representation from the armed forces, universities, and corporate teams under the Mercantile Hockey Association. It’s a nationwide game, but is still more active in districts like Matale, Kandy, Colombo, Wennapuwa, and Galle.
Is women’s hockey gaining ground?
Women’s hockey is mostly at the school level. Once girls finish school, there’s a drop in participation. However, armed forces do recruit women players, and some continue that way. If we invest in women’s hockey, it’s a real opportunity. With proper support, I believe Sri Lankan women could win medals internationally much faster than our men.
What about the administration? Who’s running hockey in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka Hockey Federation oversees the sport under the 1973 Sports Law. There are 16 Affiliated Associations – Districts, Schools, Defense services, Mercantile institutions, and more. The Ministry of Sports also plays a role, especially in infrastructure projects. While the structure exists, we face many resource challenges.
Speaking of infrastructure, tell us about the current hockey facilities.
Most of the country still plays on grass fields. We have only two artificial turfs – one in Colombo and the newly renovated one in Matale. The Matale stadium was upgraded with Rs. 110 million from Sri Lanka Cricket, and an additional RS. 50 million invested by the Ministry of Sports with the assistance of the Asian Hockey Federation. It’s a big step. Players love the turf – it lifts the game and motivates youth to take hockey seriously.
Who gets access to these turfs?
Everyone, from national squads to school teams, clubs, and even masters’ teams, uses them. Schools pay a fee to book time, but it’s open to many. These facilities are already having a strong impact. We need at least two more turfs in other provinces to create balanced access.
How many active players would you say Sri Lanka has today?
I’d estimate around 4,000 players in total. Around 3,000 are in schools, with another 1,000 spread across clubs and services. It’s not a small number, but retention after school is an issue.
What kind of support does Sri Lanka hockey receive, financially and otherwise?
Government support is stronger than the federation’s, especially for infrastructure. The Asian Hockey Federation helped with the Colombo turf, but our federation struggles with funding. Equipment costs are high, and training aids for things like goalkeeping or fitness are limited. Even sticks are expensive. So, we’re doing a lot with very little.
What’s your vision for the future of Sri Lankan hockey?
My dream is for Sri Lanka to be ranked in the top four in Asia within the next five or six years. We’re currently behind India, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, and China, but we can catch up. We need to focus on technology, power training, sports science, and a proper nutrition guide. Foreign coaches could help a lot. We’ve seen how India improved with Dutch coaching. We can do the same with the right support.
Has India had a big influence on Sri Lankan hockey historically?
Absolutely. Our roots are closely tied to Indian hockey. In the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, we played test matches against them regularly and even trained there. Unfortunately, due to political issues, that connection faded. Pakistan sends coaches sometimes, but historically, India has had more influence on our game.
What would you say to someone unfamiliar with Sri Lankan hockey?
Hockey in Sri Lanka is on the rise again, especially with these new turf fields. If investment is made in coaching, facilities, and especially in women’s hockey, and we get more international experience, we can compete with the best in Asia again.