Following a weekend of open tryouts, wherein players were asked to complete a series of physical tests and game situations, the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has shortlisted 26 local men to begin preparing to participate in the Pan American Challenge, scheduled for June 27 to July 5 in Lima, Peru.
Flashback: The Guyana National Men’s Team take a photo opportunity during the CAC Games in Colombia back in 2018
This American Challenge tournament is the qualifier for the final two spots in the Pan American Cup, scheduled for 2021 in Trinidad & Tobago.
The shortlisted squad includes 10 senior players and 16 members of the national under-21 squad, which is also preparing for the Junior Pan American Championships to be held in Santiago, Chile in November of this year.
Commenting on the selection process, national coach Robert Fernandes highlighted the transition phase that the sport is experiencing this year.
“Looking at the turnout at the tryouts, it seems like we will be going through a transitional phase this year. Our last international tournament was the CAC Games in August 2018, so some of our most experienced national players have since transitioned to other priorities in their lives and didn’t tryout last weekend. That means that there is a large crop of new faces in this year’s squad,” Fernandes explained.
Fernandes further explained that while it would be a challenge, the new faces in the team have displayed the requisite determination to compete.
“Although their lack of experience will be a challenge, they have displayed an infectious enthusiasm which has brought a new energy to the entire process. They are very talented, intelligent, and all seem willing to work hard; and those are some of the main ingredients we need to produce a quality national team,” he explained.
The 26 local players shortlisted are: Dominic Alleyne, Jamarj Assanah, Rayon Branford, Sherwyn Caesar, Hilmar Chester, Hilton Chester, Edmond Chinian, Paul D’ Andrade, Shakeem Fausette, Robert France, Shomere Garnett, Tahrea Garnett, Tivesarid Garnett, Jael Gaskin, Michael Hing, Troy Hodge, Randy Hope, Kareem Mc Kenzie, Tariq Nelson, John Phang, Mark Sargeant, Meshach Sargeant, Medroy Scotland, Theodore Thierens, David Williams and Samuel Woodroffe.
