A Sri Lanka Masters Hockey probe has been requested over alleged logo misuse, player selection and more than Rs. 50 million in tour funds.
A Sri Lanka Masters Hockey probe has been requested over allegations involving national symbols, player selection and more than Rs. 50 million reportedly raised for the 2026 World Cup tour.
A former Sri Lanka national hockey captain has called for a full, independent investigation into the Sri Lanka Masters National Hockey Association.
The request concerns the organisation’s alleged use of the Sri Lanka Lion Flag identity, its collection and management of sponsorships and player contributions, and its authority to represent the country internationally.
The complainant said the investigation should protect the integrity, transparency and governance of hockey in Sri Lanka.
The allegations have not been independently established. The association and the officials identified in the request should receive an opportunity to respond to every claim.
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Three Masters hockey bodies established
The submission identifies three Masters hockey organisations formed in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Masters National Hockey Association completed its constitution in 2015 and registered on May 31, 2016.
The Sri Lanka Women’s National Hockey Association registered on February 6, 2018.
The Sri Lanka Masters VIP Hockey Association registered on June 7, 2019.
According to the submission, Sri Lanka’s first Masters hockey tour took place in Indonesia in 2017.
The team competed in a nine-a-side tournament under the captaincy of a former Sri Lanka national hockey captain.
At that stage, the association reportedly used a traditional hockey-stick emblem.
It used the same emblem when participating in the Masters Hockey World Cup in Barcelona in 2018.
However, the organisation reportedly changed its logo in 2019 to incorporate imagery associated with the Sri Lanka Lion Flag.
During the same period, the Sri Lanka Masters National Hockey Association obtained affiliation with the World Masters Hockey governing body.
The request describes it as the sole Masters organisation affiliated to represent Sri Lanka.
It alleges that this arrangement prevented other Masters bodies, the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation and the Ministry of Sports from obtaining direct World Masters Hockey affiliation.
The complainant has asked authorities to review whether all Masters hockey activity should operate under one nationally recognised governing structure.
Such a body, the submission argues, should provide oversight, accountability and representation for every eligible Masters association.
Earlier fundraising concerns raised
The complaint also refers to fundraising for the 2020 Masters Hockey World Cup in the United Kingdom.
It alleges that the association used the Lion Flag logo while raising money for both men’s and women’s teams.
Players were reportedly asked to contribute approximately Rs. 1.1 million each.
Official correspondence connected to the tour allegedly carried the same Lion Flag branding.
The submission claims that a similar fundraising programme took place before the 2024 Masters Hockey World Cup in New Zealand.
Separate official letterheads displaying the Lion Flag logo were reportedly used for the men’s and women’s teams.
According to the request, those letterheads appeared on player trial notices, official correspondence and sponsorship applications.
The women’s team was later separated from the main association, and a new committee was appointed.
Members of that committee reportedly raised concerns over player selection.
They allegedly claimed that a player’s financial capacity had become an important factor in determining participation.
Those concerns led to allegations that overseas tournament places depended on whether players could finance their own involvement.
The complainant argues that sporting ability and transparent selection criteria should determine participation instead.
Complaints led to earlier inquiries
The request states that complaints were submitted to several authorities.
They included the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation, the Minister of Sports, the Sports Ministry Secretary and the Director General of Sports.
A complaint also reportedly reached the Chairman of the National Youth Services Council.
The submission says the council chairman conducted an inquiry attended by the association president and committee members.
A later inquiry reportedly took place before the Anti-Corruption Committee at Sugathadasa Stadium.
Participants allegedly included the association president, committee members and Sri Lanka Hockey Federation representatives.
The Secretary of the Sri Lanka Masters National Hockey Association also reportedly participated.
According to the complainant, the issues were later raised in Parliament and an inquiry report was submitted.
No findings from those proceedings were included in the material provided.
Sri Lanka Masters Hockey probe sought over 2026 tour
The latest allegations concern the 2026 Masters Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands.
Despite the earlier inquiries, the association allegedly continued using the Lion Flag logo and official letterhead.
The submission claims it used that branding to seek sponsorships and collect player contributions.
Documents reportedly signed by the association’s secretary asked each player to contribute Rs. 985,000.
Approximately 43 players were reportedly selected.
The combined amount from player payments and sponsorships is estimated to exceed Rs. 50 million.
Public announcements and sponsorship campaigns allegedly appeared under the Sri Lanka Masters National Hockey Association’s name.
The complainant says these materials also displayed the Lion Flag logo.
During the tournament, the delegation reportedly presented itself internationally as the official “Sri Lanka Team”.
It also allegedly displayed the Sri Lanka national flag.
These claims have raised questions about whether the association had legal authority to represent the country or use national identifiers.
The requested investigation would need to determine what approvals, if any, the association received.
Questions raised over touring squad
The complaint also challenges the composition of the touring party.
It claims the squad included approximately eight former Sri Lanka national players.
Two former Sri Lanka Under-23 players were also reportedly selected.
The remaining participants were described as people who had not represented Sri Lanka at national level.
The submission further alleges that approximately half of the touring party came from one association.
The complainant said these figures raise questions about fairness, inclusiveness and transparency.
However, the request does not include the full selection criteria or the association’s explanation for choosing the squad.
An investigation would therefore need to examine trial procedures, eligibility rules, rankings and selection records.
It would also need to establish whether all eligible Masters players received equal opportunities to seek selection.
Full financial accounts requested
Because of the amount reportedly collected, the former captain has requested detailed financial disclosure.
The association’s treasurer and other office bearers should account for all player contributions, according to the submission.
They should also disclose every sponsorship payment received.
The request seeks a complete record of expenditure connected to the Netherlands tour.
It also calls for the production of bank statements, financial records and audited accounts.
Supporting documents should be provided for every payment made, the submission states.
A forensic review could compare the funds received against travel, accommodation, tournament, equipment and administrative expenses.
The investigation would also need to identify who controlled the accounts and authorised payments.
The complaint does not establish that funds were misappropriated.
Instead, it calls for independent verification because of the scale of the reported collections and the public branding involved.
Serving national player reportedly joined tour
Another concern involves a serving Sri Lanka national hockey player.
The individual is described as a Police Inspector who was participating in the national training camp.
That camp was reportedly preparing players for the Asian Games scheduled for September 2026.
The player was nevertheless allegedly permitted to join the Masters tour.
The complainant has requested clarification on whether the Ministry of Sports approved the participation.
The inquiry should also establish whether the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation gave permission.
Authorities have been asked to determine whether every required procedure was followed.
The submission also seeks the legal basis under which the association included a serving national player in the touring party.
It further asks why that player reportedly did not appear in the official team declaration photograph.
No explanation from the player, association, police or sporting authorities was included in the original request.
Players allegedly awaiting refunds
The complaint also raises concerns about players who initially paid money but did not travel.
Several players reportedly failed to secure the full amount required for participation.
They were allegedly removed from the tour after making initial payments.
The submission claims that some have not received refunds.
The requested investigation would examine the total amount paid by those players.
It would also establish which refunds were processed and whether any balances remain outstanding.
The complaint asks authorities to determine how the association recorded those funds in its accounts.
Players entitled to repayments should receive them promptly, the former captain argues.
However, the number of affected players and the exact amounts allegedly outstanding were not provided.
Nine issues listed for independent review
The complainant has asked relevant authorities to investigate nine main areas.
First, the inquiry should determine whether the Sri Lanka Masters National Hockey Association lawfully used the Lion Flag logo.
Second, it should establish whether the touring delegation could legally represent itself as the official Sri Lanka team.
Third, investigators should determine what authority allowed the association to seek contributions and sponsorships using national branding.
Fourth, the inquiry should calculate the complete amount raised for the 2026 Netherlands tournament.
Fifth, investigators should review the management, auditing and accountability of all money received and spent.
Sixth, the selection process should be examined for fairness and transparency.
Seventh, the inquiry should investigate allegations that some excluded players did not receive refunds.
Eighth, it should clarify the participation of serving national players involved in official training programmes.
Finally, authorities should review the entire governance structure of Masters hockey in Sri Lanka.
Single national structure proposed
The former captain has proposed placing all Masters hockey associations under one nationally recognised governing body.
That structure would operate under the supervision of the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation and the Ministry of Sports.
The complainant argues that a unified system could strengthen transparency, accountability and equal opportunity.
It could also clarify who has the authority to use Sri Lanka’s name, flag and sporting identity internationally.
Any reform would need to define the relationship between existing Masters associations and the national federation.
It would also have to address World Masters Hockey affiliation and tournament-entry rights.
Clear rules would be needed for player eligibility, trials, team naming, national symbols and financial reporting.
The request argues that fragmented administration creates uncertainty and weakens accountability.
However, any restructuring should include consultation with all affected associations and players.
Forensic audit and published accounts requested
The submission calls for an independent forensic audit of all player payments, sponsorships and related transactions.
It also asks authorities to direct the publication of audited financial statements.
Supporting records should accompany those accounts, the complainant says.
Investigators should determine whether the Lion Flag or other national identifiers were used without authorisation.
They should also verify whether the delegation could lawfully call itself the official Sri Lanka Masters team.
Any player legally entitled to a refund should receive it without further delay.
The inquiry should examine possible conflicts of interest, governance failures and breaches of the Sports Law or other regulations.
If investigators establish wrongdoing, the complainant has requested appropriate action.
That could include disciplinary, administrative, civil or criminal proceedings, depending on the evidence.
The submission does not call for conclusions before an investigation. Instead, it asks authorities to test each allegation independently and transparently.
Urgent findings sought in public interest
The former Sri Lanka national hockey captain said the issues carry significant public interest.
They involve the reputation of Sri Lankan sport, the alleged use of national symbols and the management of millions of rupees.
The complainant has therefore requested urgent consideration from the relevant authorities.
Any findings should be communicated to the association, affected players, sporting bodies and other stakeholders.
A credible Sri Lanka Masters Hockey probe would need to hear all sides, review original records and avoid reaching conclusions based only on allegations.
The association should receive the opportunity to explain its affiliation, branding, team-selection process and financial arrangements.
Players, sponsors and officials should also provide documentary evidence.
Only a transparent investigation can determine whether the allegations are supported and whether changes are needed to protect the governance and reputation of Sri Lankan hockey.
