GHB in preparation mood for magnificent DMW hockey Festival

BY ROMARIO SAMAROO

The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) is preparing for the largest Indoor Hockey Festival to date as the annual Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival draws near

Billed for November 24-27, it is expected that this year will be the largest tournament in the Caribbean for the sport, having attracted so far, teams from North American and the wider Caribbean.

President of the GHB, Philip Fernandes briefed Guyana Times Sport on the expectations of the Festival stressing on the tournament’s significance. “This is one of the main events on our calendar for the year because it attracts international teams from across the world and even regional clubs. In the past the tournament has attracted teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, USA, Canada and a few from Jamaica,” the Hockey Board President stated, adding, “The tournament looks exciting this year, we have had good responses from teams from North America and Trinidad and Tobago and we are expecting one of the most rewarding festival.”

While Fernandes was reluctant to mention the names of the teams, he assured this publication that top class teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Canada and the United States of America are definitely on board.

Fernandes further mentioned that the event will be hosted at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, which has become the home of Indoor Hockey locally, and while it may have a few obstacles, the authorities are working to remedy those.

“We are using the National Gymnasium. There are a few things we need to correct with it, the floor is not as smooth as it once was, also our side boards and other minor things but it is a good facility and it will host a good tournament,” Fernandes said

The Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival will witness teams vying for over US$7,500 in cash and other prizes.

The tournament will have competitions in three categories; male open, female open and the over-35 years old. Participating open teams are expected to pay US$400 entrance fee while the over 35 team will pay US$200.

In the 11th edition of the festival, Hikers men and the GCC ladies were crowned champions having outplayed over 14 teams.