Sports
Record-breaking turnout for 18th Blue and Gold Hockey 7s
Sixty-six school hockey teams are competing in the 18th edition of the Blue and Gold Hockey 7s, organized by the Royal College Hockey Club at the Royal College grounds on Saturday (12) and Sunday (13).
Addressing a press conference in Colombo, Damitha Silva, Secretary of the Royal College Hockey Club (RCHC), mentioned that the tournament is being held after a lapse of years, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic followed by the country’s economic crisis. It is expected to provide a unique opportunity for young players to display their skills and talents. The tournament will feature intense competition, excitement, sportsmanship, and camaraderie, creating a carnival atmosphere over the two days of the event.
Since its inception, the Blue and Gold Hockey Sevens has become a cornerstone event in the local sporting calendar, attracting hockey enthusiasts, players, and teams from across the country.
Named the ESOFT Blue and Gold Hockey 7s after its title sponsor, ESOFT higher educational network, the tournament will include 146 matches over the two days, featuring Cup, Plate, and Bowl finals in both boys’ and girls’ categories, according to Silva. The event will involve 42 boys’ teams and 24 girls’ teams from schools across the country.
Silva expressed gratitude to the main sponsor, ESOFT, and others who have extended their assistance to elevate this year’s tournament to the highest level in Blue and Gold Sevens history. He stated that this year’s event promises to be bigger, better, and more exciting than ever before, with the participation of 66 teams and thanks to the support from Platinum Sponsor NDB Bank, Gold sponsors MINEL LANKA, CIAP, SPECVISION (PVT) LTD, R&R FINE GEMS, ANA MARINE AGENCIES (PVT) LTD, and ANCHORS, Broadcasting partner ThePapare, Umpire sponsor LTL HOLDINGS, and Food and Beverage sponsor THMBAPANNI.
Dr. Dayan Rajapakshe, Chairman and MD of ESOFT Metro Campus, commented, “At ESOFT, we believe in the power of sports to make a difference in character, discipline, and unity. Through this sponsorship, we aim to inspire young athletes, fostering friendship, teamwork, and leadership skills beyond the hockey field.”
An animal rights group is urging Crystal Palace to retire their live bald eagle mascot with immediate effect, saying a “bright stadium filled with boisterous fans is no place for animals”.
In a letter to Palace CEO Sharon Lacey, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) asked the Premier League club to stop using the eagle, named Phoenix, in pre-match displays at Selhurst Park and to never use live animal mascots again.
The London team, known as the Eagles since 1973, introduced a live eagle to matchdays in 2010. Kayla, who died in 2020, performed the role for 10 years and her replacement Phoenix made her debut against West Ham in August 2024.
Peta says birds can become “frightened, disoriented and panicked” in stadium environments, putting themselves and fans at risk.
Using them for displays and entertainment also denies the animals, who “would naturally avoid humans”, the opportunity to engage with their natural instincts, leading to “frustration and stress”, the group said.
The organisation has “detailed records” of incidents involving live mascots, including birds, being injured or killed in collisions with walls, windows and match balls, as well as a falcon embedding its talons in a spectator’s scalp after landing on his head.
In 2017, a Charlton Athletic fan was found guilty of trying to punch Kayla the eagle at a League Cup fixture two years earlier.
“Many professional sports teams use only willing humans as mascots and the club already has Pete the Eagle to excite the crowd,” said Dr Carys Bennett, Peta’s senior corporate projects manager.
“Bald eagles are widely recognised as symbols of freedom. They deserve better than to be used as an entertainment prop to amuse the Eagles’ fans.
[BBC]
Without Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra, the hosts have a top-three spot for Devon Conway. They have as many as six seamers in the squad to pick from, with Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell offering part-time spin in a fairly stacked bowling attack.
[Cricbuzz]
Latest News
Bangladesh and Nepal to host Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup from January 21 to February 6
Four venues in Bangladesh and Nepal will host the 2027 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, which is set to run from January 21 to February 6. Chattogram, Sylhet, Kirtipur and Mulpani are the four venues, with Chattogram set to host the two semi-finals on February 4 as well as the final on February 6.
The 16-team event will feature four groups of four teams each, with the group stage set to be followed by a two-group Super Six stage, and then the semi-finals and final.
This is the third edition of the tournament, with India having won the first two back-to-back in 2023 and 2025. The defending champions have been drawn in group A alongside Ireland, West Indies and Nepal. Group B has 2025 runners-up South Africa as well as New Zealand, Pakistan and Samoa.
Australia, Bangladesh, Nigeria and UAE make up Group C, while England, Sri Lanka, USA and Scotland have been drawn in Group D.
The tournament will kick off with four matches on January 21, with Sylhet hosting Bangladesh vs UAE and Australia vs Nigeria, and Mulpani hosting Sri Lanka vs Scotland and England vs USA. The other two venues and other eight teams will be involved on January 22: New Zealand vs Samoa and South Africa vs Pakistan in Chattogram, and Nepal vs Ireland and India vs West Indies in Kirtipur.
All 41 games of the tournament will be played during the day. Morning matches will begin at 9.30am local time, and afternoon games at 1.30pm local time.
“The ICC U19 World Cup is the stage that showcases the future of our sport and serves as the ultimate platform for young players to make the leap towards elite careers representing their countries,” ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said. “These future stars representing 16 teams will garner the world’s attention and become relatable role models for many young girls playing the sport, serving inspiration for their continued cricket journeys.
“The choice of our hosts – Bangladesh and Nepal – is also reflective of the ICC’s belief and investment in the future of the cricket ecosystem. With deep passion for cricket and nearly 40% of the two countries’ populations below the age of 20, they serve as the ideal hosts for one of the world’s biggest youth sporting events.”
(Cricinfo)
Crystal Palace urged to retire bald eagle mascot
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Bangladesh and Nepal to host Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup from January 21 to February 6
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