An excellent left inside of the highest class, Sahabdeen was the main goal scorer with amazing hits and scoops from top of the ‘D’. He represented Mercantile HA at the National Championships from 1976 to 1980, captaining the winning team in 1981 and also winning teams in 1979 and 1980.
A double international, he represented Sri Lanka in a one-dayer versus Bangladesh in 1983 and in 1984 versus New Zealand and toured Sharjah for the first ever Asia Cup.
MI SAHABDEEN (born 1957)
Position: Left inside
Clubs: Burgher RC,
Colombo HA, Mercantile HA
1978 Tour of South India and Bangladesh
1978 Asian Games,
Bangkok
1982 First Asia Cup,
Karachi, Pakistan
SHM Kuthubdeen
A creative and hardworking right-inside, Kuthubeen scored heaps of goals with sudden bursts of speed and deft stick work.
He represented Colombo HA at the National Championships in 1980 and Mercantile HA in 1981.
SHM KUTHUBDEEN (born 1960)
Position: Right inside
Clubs: Burgher RC, Colombo HA, Mercantile HA
1978 Tour of South India and Bangladesh
1978 Asian Games, Bangkok
1982 1st Asia Cup,Karachi, Pakistan
MM Hallaj
A left-extreme of great promise, Hallaj represented Colombo HA at the National Championships from 1977 to 1982.
MM HALLAJ (born 1958)
Position: Left extreme
Clubs: Burgher RC, Colombo HA, Mercantile HA
1978 Asian Games, Bangkok
1982 First Asia Cup,
Karachi, Pakistan
Lalith Wijesekera was the best out of the young goal keepers, for the future
SHU Karnain
One of the very best half backs during his entire career, SHU Karnain represented the Colombo HA at the National Championships from 1978 to 1980.
A double international, he represented Sri Lanka in 19 One-Day Internationals.
SHU KARNAIN (born 1959)
Position: Half back
Clubs: Burgher RC, Colombo HA
1982 First Asia Cup, Karachi, Pakistan
Keith Vanderwert
A young goalkeeper of promise was Keith Vanderwert who represented Mercantile HA at the 1981 National Championships.
KEITH VANDERWERT (born 1950)
Position: Goalkeeper
Clubs: Burgher RC,
Mercantile HA
1982 First Asia Cup, Karachi, Pakistan