14th Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Championships underway
The 14th annual Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival was officially launched and got underway on Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).
GHB President Philip Fernandes makes a point at the launching of the 14th edition of the Indoor Hockey Championships
Five matches were scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening while another 10 matches are lined up for today, at the same venue.
The competition, which is also backed by ExxonMobil and ANSA McAL through its Stag Beer Brand, will see only three categories – Open Men, Open Women and Over-35.
Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) President Philip Fernandes, who was on hand for the launch and commencement of the event, said their platinum sponsor, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), has been with them since the inaugural event in 2004, and they owed it a great debt of gratitude.
He also commended the other companies that have stuck with the tournament throughout the years to make it one of the most anticipated events on the calendar.
According to Fernandes, this year, they anticipate the participation of the top players from last year’s Indoor World Cup from Men’s Pan American Champions, Trinidad and Tobago. The Queens Park Hockey Club from T&T, who were finalists in 2013 and 2016, are defending champions in both the Men’s and Stag Over-35 Divisions.
The side boasts several Trinidadian national players, including Jordan Reynos, Aiden DeGannes and Jordan Vieira, along with several former nationals.
The ExxonMobil Women’s Competition sees the return of the inaugural champions Magnolias from Trinidad, who will be joined by Ventures, also making a reappearance after many years.
Meanwhile, the GTT National Champions, the Woodpecker Hikers, will be looking to lead the challenge from Guyana, as will seven-time champions GBTI GFF along with Old Fort and Saints.
Seven overseas teams will be gracing this year’s festival, along with the local squads –a total of 18 teams.
Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to the winners and runners-up in the male, female and veteran categories. The winning team in both the male and female tournament will each receive US$1000 while the runners-up will cart off US$500.
