The ICONIC 2023 Over-30 Nine-a-side Women’s Open Hockey Tournament organized by SLMWHA (Sri Lanka Masters Women Hockey Association) was successfully concluded on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Police Grounds Bambalapitiya.

The Nine-a-side Women's Open Hockey Tournament consisted of players contesting from two separate categories, which were the over-30 women’s teams, with players from different parts of the country, and five under-14 school teams. The schools that participated under this category were,  Madagama Maha Vidyalaya - Devagala, Aralaganvila, Gamini Maha Vidyalaya - Ampara, Kekirawa Central College – Kekirawa, Royal College – Polonnaruwa, and a Combine Team from Galle, consisting of Sumangala Maha Vidyalaya - Kurunduvththa, Akmeemana, Janadhipathi Balika Vidayalaya - Walahanduwa, Galle and Siridamma Vidyalaya - Labuduva, Galle.

SLMWHA was founded by former hockey players with the collective goal of advancing women’s hockey in Sri Lanka and inspiring future generations. The association also works to provide the necessary platforms and opportunities for players to enhance and hone their talents.

NDB joined with SLMWHA to support the ICONIC 2023 Women's Open Hockey Tournament as the Official Banking Partner for the event. As a responsible local bank with its roots in the community, NDB’s partnership with SLMWHA is in line with the bank’s sustained efforts to empower the development of sports and players. Additionally, advocating for women-led sporting events and creating ample opportunities for advancement aligns with the Bank’s Araliya initiative, which facilitates women's empowerment.

Commenting on the partnership, NDB’s CEO Dimantha Seneviratne stated that "NDB remains committed in its efforts to encourage the development of qualities such as sportsmanship, hard work, teamwork, focus, and passion through sport and it is these same qualities that we at NDB share as well." He also added that "NDB will continue to foster the development of sports, especially women-led sporting events, amongst future generations to inculcate good values and discipline."

Addressing the successful conclusion of the event and NDB’s partnership, the President of SLMWHA, Ms. Ruwaiza Sela, voiced that "many forget to realize that children are our future, and nurturing them and giving them the best by paving the way is the ideal strategy to develop our growing country. NDB could not have done better as they helped the future of our country, not only us Masters Hockey players." She also continued to express gratitude for the successful partnership between SLMWHA and NDB Bank.

NDB Bank is the fourth largest listed commercial bank in Sri Lanka. The Bank emerged as the Most Awarded Corporate in Sri Lanka in 2022 for the second consecutive year, as per the annual rankings of Sri Lankan publication LMD. The Bank was adjudged as the Best Bank in Sri Lanka 2022 by Global Finance USA and Euro money in their annual best bank awards programmes. Additionally, The Bank was named one of the "Top 50 Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka 2022" by Great Place To Work, USA. NDB is the parent company of the NDB Group comprising NDB capital markets subsidiary companies, together forming a unique banking and capital market services group. The Bank is committed to empowering the nation and its people through meaningful financial and advisory services, powered by digital banking solutions.