Thursday Jun 11, 2026
Thursday Jun 11, 2026
Tuesday, 2 June 2026 07:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Squatting from left: Ronal Edirimanne, Sulaiman Shihar, Gunitha Dissanayaka, Dilsara Prabath, Kumuthulu Goonathilake, Savain Karunasiri, Vidu Wijesinghe, Seth Pathirathne, Pasindu Epa, and Hirun Lindula Standing from left: Stefan Antonypillai, Geesath Bathisa, Haazim Dhailamy, Teacher in Charge Uditha Kumara, Coach Damith Panditharatne, Captain Aathif Faleel, Kithmina Rathnayake, Vice Captain Lithum Karunasiri, Nehan Wijayanayake, Yusuf Shihar, Ruvi Perera, and Rumal Jayasinghe
Royal College, Colombo emerged unbeaten champions in the All Island Under-20 Hockey tournament beating defending champions St. Thomas College, Matale in nail biting sudden death penalty strokes held at Rajarata University Ground, Mihinthala last week.
The final ended in a 1-1 draw after Royal equalised the STC Matale lead five minutes before the final whistle.
After the penalty strokes ended in a 4-4 draw, the umpires decided to go for a single series penalty stroke in which the Reid Avenue team won in the second single series penalty series.
Royal goal keeper Stefan Anthonipillai’s superb saving throw with the stick on to his right side and Rumal Jayasinghe’s goal helped the Royal to become champions in the Under-20 tournament for the first time in the history since the tourney was started in 2014.
Throughout the tournament Royal’s centre forward Savain Karunasiri scored goals for the team including both in the semi-final and final while goal keeper Anthonipillai well-guarded the post throughout the seven games.
Royal were the runners up when the same tournament was held in Matale last year.
The Colombo boys consistently performed from the first game despite an uneven grassy pitch not suitable for modern speedy hockey.
They beat Christ Church College, Matale by 2-0, their arch rivals St. Thomas College Mount Lavinia by a solitary goal, Kingswood College, Kandy by 2-0, and Maris Stella College, Negombo by 2-1 in the group stage games.
Royal coach Damith Panditharatne
In the quarter final, Coach Damith Panditharatne’s team won against much fancied Dharmadutha College, Badulla by 2-0.
Later they beat St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa by a solitary goal playing defensive game against aggressively attacked Puttalum boys.
In the other semi final STC Matale won against a skilled Trinity College team by 3-1. In the playoff game, Joseph Vaz won against Trinity by 1-0.
Royal Coach Panditharatne’s five year training focusing more on stamina and skills played a crucial role in the victory. Royal won an Under-20 national level tournament for the first time since 2017, the year they won the National Schools Games.
Panditharatne, a former national and Air Force sticker as well as Sri Lanka Police coach, paid attention to the weaknesses of individual players for the team to succeed. The former player from Christ Church, Matele has been coaching Royal since 2022 backed by Royal College Hockey Club (RCHC) consisting past Royal hockey players.
Royal Goal keeper Stefan was adjudged best goal keeper of the tournament. Royal team also was adjudged ‘Most Disciplined Team’ of the tournament.
