The selected 24 will attend the second-phase camp for the second ever hockey competition in the history of the Games. Bangladesh won bronze in 1995 in Madras, the only previous time hockey was held in the then SAF Games.

Although all the events of the August 18-27 Games will be held in the Sri Lankan capital, hockey will be staged at the hill station of Matale, some three hours drive from Colombo.

Only 18 players will make it to the final squad.

The squad: Rasel Khan Bappi, Zahid Hossain, Mahbubullah Shakil, Issa Mia, Shamsuddin Tuhin, Mashiur Rahman Biplab, Mamunur Rahman Chayan, Hedayetullah Rajib, Mustafizur Rahman Dinar, Yamin Hossain, Merajul Ahsan, Musa Mia, Khondokar Hassan Ahmed, Shahidullah Titu, Ashiquzzaman, Asif-e-Noor, Mahbub Ehsan Rana, Mosharraf Hossain Jimmy, Zahidul Islam Rajan, Mazharul Islam Moksed, Maksud Alam Habul, Ariful Haque Prince, Zahid Bin Talib.