The Janashakthi Group (JXG) has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with the Mercantile Hockey Association to support 9-A-Side and 7-A-Side Hockey Tournaments, building on the group's historical ties to the sport.
JXG has committed to sponsoring the Mercantile Hockey Association's corporate hockey tournaments as title sponsor from 2026 through 2028. The partnership aims to support the development of hockey within Sri Lanka's business community by providing platforms for corporate players to compete and demonstrate their sporting abilities.
The sponsorship reflects the deep historical connection between JXG and hockey through the group's Founder and Chairman Emeritus, C.T.A. Schaffter. Schaffter's involvement with the sport spans over 25 years, beginning during his school years and extending to national competition levels. According to the Colombo Gazette, he represented the Mercantile Hockey Association at National Championships and captained the Colombo Hockey Association to victory at the 1957 Senior National Hockey Championships of Ceylon. He was also part of Mercantile sides that won the Senior National Hockey Championships on seven occasions between 1956 and 1963.
Beyond his playing career, Schaffter held numerous administrative roles within Sri Lankan hockey. He served as a National Selector from 1960 to 1962 and as Chairman of Selectors in 1966. He held various positions with both the Mercantile Hockey Association and the Ceylon/Sri Lanka Hockey Federation, including Vice President and Secretary roles, and managed the Sri Lanka National Hockey Team.
The sponsorship agreement was formalised through an official cheque handover involving Schaffter, JXG officials, and representatives of the Mercantile Hockey Association. The partnership is positioned as both a continuation of the group's sporting heritage and a commitment to strengthening hockey's role within corporate Sri Lanka through enhanced competition and player recognition opportunities.
