GHB/ Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival…
By Romario Samaroo
As the 12th edition of the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey begins today, the local goalkeepers benefited from some rigorous training by Canadian Goalkeeper, Shankar Premakanthan over the past two days.
With over 20 years in the game and a stunning four Indoor World Cups, four Pan American games and many tournaments worldwide under his belt, Premakanthan highlighted that the Guyanese style of hockey is very fast when compared to Canada but nevertheless; the role of the Goalkeepers is integral to the game as such he ventured here to hold the seminar. Premakanthan who will be turning out for the Toronto Lions added that he is “hoping that there can be a way to set up a kind of structure so that the local coaches can continue the training and develop them.”
Canadian Goalkeeper, Shankar Premakanthan (Red shirt) going through the paces with young goalkeeper Oliver Rahim (Green) while other goalkeepers look on
“The first night was some basic drills and the following night we corrected and modified some of what was not going technically right whether its saves or on field decisions but the main aim was to benefit the goalkeepers and give them something positive to take with them,” the Toronto Lions player said.
Based on what he would have seen the host of the seminar was very impressed by some of the local keepers especially in their athleticism and are watchful of them when they head into the Diamond Mineral Water Festival. As the Toronto Lions aim to snare the title and the attractive prize money but will keep an eye on some of the local teams as well as the Trinidadian side, Queen’s Park HC. Premakanthan, who has played in the Festival back in the inaugural season and in 2006 wished to see the same energy and support the crowds have shown over the years be elevated and create an enticing atmosphere, conducive for the sport.
With three divisions in the festival, male, female and veterans, a total of 17 teams, including both local and international, have been confirmed to participate.
The Canada’s Toronto Lions who will be spare headed by past Most Valuable Player (MVP) on multiple occasions, Jonathan Roberts which includes gold medal winners from the Canadian team who participated in the last Pan American Cup in Uruguay. We must look out for last year’s runners-up, Trinidad and Tobago’s Queens Park Hockey Club (H.C.) and debutants, Ball Washers out of Washington, USA will both be looking for success. Also in the mix are, 2012 winners Toronto Academy, Carib H.C., Malvern H.C. and the top local sides, Pepsi Hikers, Old Fort, Bounty GCC, Pizza Hut GCC and others.
In action will be some of the big names on the local arena including, rising stars Aroydy Branford, Aliyah Gordon, Michael Hing, Rebecca Xavier, Gabriella Xavier, Vanessa Peres, Robert France, Robert Fernandes, Philip Fernandes, Devin Munroe, Kevin Spencer, Eric Hing, Kerensa Fernandes, Jamarj Assanah, Randy Hope among others. The Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey League will run at the home of Indoor Hockey, the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue from today until November 27.
