Canadian national hockey player, Jonathan Roberts is happy to once again return to the largest indoor tournament in the Caribbean, the Diamond Mineral Water International Hockey Festival.
With more than 50 international matches for Canada, including World Cup matches, Roberts is expected to return to the helm of regional indoor hockey, which he has dominated during his stint in the annual Festival.
“It is nice to be returning to Guyana to defend the title. This is the first time since the tournament started that we are returning back to back years.” Roberts said.
Last year, the 6ix men’s team emerged successful in the men’s division by reversing their pool round loss against Bounty GCC with a stellar 5-1 victory in the final.
While the 6ix not returning, a number of their players will now be representing the Toronto Lions this year.
“This year should be very good as the prize money will definitely attract a lot of top teams” Roberts said, in support of what President of the Guyana Hockey Board, Philip Fernandes related the increased in cash payout is expected to do.
This year, the stakes have been tripled with a cash payout of US$3000 for the winners of the male and female divisions and US$500 for the Veterans.
With three divisions in the festival, male, female and veterans, a total of 17 teams, including locals and internationals, have been confirmed to participate with time and space for more teams to join the festival. Registration fee per team in the male and female categories set at USD$400 while the veterans’ teams are required to pay US$200 each.
Returning to the tournament are four time winners, Canada’s Toronto Hockey 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, 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, Old Fort, Bounty GCC, Pizza Hut GCC and others.
The Diamond Mineral Water Indoor International Hockey League will be played at the home of Indoor Hockey, the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue from November 24-27.