Bounty/Antonio’s Grill tournament to ignite National Stadium tomorrow
The Bounty/Antonio’s Grill One Day tournament is considered the flagship event of outdoor hockey in Guyana, and traditionally marks the start of the new hockey season.
This year, the exciting season opener takes place on January 25 at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and a day filled with competitive matches and community festivities would be featured.
Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) President Philip Fernandes noted, “Bounty Farm Ltd and Antonio’s Grill have been dedicated sponsors for this tournament for several years, and the board is very grateful for their continued interest in supporting the sport.”
Flashback! A look at last year’s Bounty/Antonio’s Grill outdoor tournament
The One Day season opener would highlight both male and female teams from prominent hockey clubs in Guyana. The competition would use a seven-a-side format, a shortened version of the game which promises to deliver fast-paced and thrilling action. Two games would be played simultaneously on opposite fields, enhancing the excitement of players and spectators. The tournament would commence at 9:00h and continue into the evening, concluding in the grand finale for both male and female teams.
In addition to the club teams, the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) recently held a three-day trial for U21 boys and girls. From these trials, twenty-seven boys and twenty-three girls have been selected to continue training until the final teams are chosen. According to Mr. Fernandes, the U21 boys will compete as two teams in the season opener in order to sharpen their skills, compete against former and current senior national players, and help selectors narrow down the roster.
The U21 boys are scheduled to compete in the Qualifiers for the Junior Pan American Challenge, which would be taking place from March 9-16, 2025 in Barbados. Meanwhile, the U21 girls would be preparing for the Qualifiers for the CAC Games, scheduled for May 4-11, 2025 in Mexico.
The day promises to be a vibrant celebration for the hockey community, with family, friends and spectators gathering to enjoy scintillating matches. As is customary every year, the GHB would also host its first fundraiser of the year, featuring a BBQ sale at the event.
