History of Blue & Gold Hockey 7s

The tournament began when there was no hockey sevens tournament conducted at school level in 1992; soon after the launch of Royal College Hockey Club (RCHC). Since then for the last three decades, Sri Lanka’s sporting calendar has been graced by the prestigious Blue & Gold Hockey 7s tournament. It started with a simple beginning –one-day tournament with 20 leading hockey playing boys school. But it laid the foundation for a hockey revolution in the island nation.

It took 11 years to have the second edition of the tournament in 2003, and the tournament escalated to new heights, boasting 32 boys’ teams from every corner of Sri Lanka in a two-day event. Singer, with the benevolent backing of its chairman Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya, playing a pivotal role in propelling the event’s success. The very next year, the event introduced a separate tournament for girls and became the first ever two-day tournament for both boys and girls to be conducted by a school in the country.

With the growing demands for the tournament, the Blue & Gold Hockey 7s introduced three championship categories – Cup, Plate, and Bowl under both boys’ and girls’ categories in 2006. Since then it has been held on an annual basis until 2019. It was most sought tournament among the hockey fraternity due to the professionalism involved in organizing it. The RCHC took the burden of facilitating the accommodation and meals for the teams came outside Colombo and allowed the teams to focus only on the game and their skills.

It was the first tournament to be telecasted live in local channels in 2016 with commentaries in Sri Lanka. Today, the event has expanded into accommodating a record number of 66 school teams into the tournament. Despite the economic crisis and hardships, the organizing committee has decided to open the tournament many new hockey playing schools without any discriminations to promote the sport at its highest level.

As in the past, the 2023 tournament has taken another bold step to introduce the digitalization into the tournament. From registration to recording of games, all steps are digitalized with the expertise of old Royalists in the RCHC. The tournament embraced online registration and recorder tables functions, ensuring a seamless experience for participants and fans alike.

The Blue & Gold Hockey 7s is not just about competing for glory; it’s about forging lifelong friendships, showcasing sportsmanship, and celebrating the joy of hockey. The electrifying cheers, the heart-stopping moments, and the sheer enthusiasm make it a breathtaking experience for all who witness it.

The Covid-19 pandemic may have cast a temporary shadow over the tournament, but the spirit remains unbroken! After a three-year hiatus due to restrictions and limitations, the hockey community eagerly anticipates the triumphant return of the Blue & Gold Hockey 7s. And we are ready for the tournament with a record number of games.