Stakes tripled for 12th Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival

Stakes tripled for 12th Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival

By Romario Samaroo

The 12th edition of the Diamond Mineral Indoor Hockey Festival (DMWIHF) was officially launched in the members’ pavilion of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) on Tuesday, with the promise of an increase to the prize payouts among other changes.
With much credibility to the tournament, it has been the longest running indoor hockey competition in the region and will once again attract teams from the region as well as internationally.
President of the Guyana Hockey Board, Philip Fernandes related the increase in cash payout, was made in a bid to make the tournament more attractive to the overseas teams. Previously, the male and female top teams pocketed USD$1,000, this year it will be tripled.
“Cash prizes and trophies will once again be rewarded to the winners and runners-up in the male and female and veteran categories. The winning teams in both male and female tournaments will each receive USD$3,000 while the runners-up will cart off with USD$500. The winner of the veterans tournament will receive USD$500 with the second placed team receiving incentive prizes.” the president said.
Major sponsors have already confirmed their participation this year including beverage stalwarts, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) through their Diamond Mineral Water Brand, who has been with the tournament from the inception and Ansa McAl with through Carib beer who have renewed their commitment with annual tournament.
Speaking on behalf of the platinum sponsors, Diamond Mineral Water, Larry Wills said the company is happy to be a part of the tournament and enjoyed the partnership with the Guyana Hockey Board.
“DDL will continue to support the International Indoor Hockey Tournament and is pleased with the work done by the Guyana Hockey Board… Diamond Mineral Water will be there to hydrate the players throughout the tournament.” Wills said while wishing the tournament longevity.
Meanwhile, Ansa McAl’s Carib beer brand manager, Robert Hiscock, speaking on behalf of the company, reiterated the fact of Ansa McAl’s commitment to sport development in Guyana.

“We as a company see sports as an integral part to the development of a country and we see hockey as no different, which is why I could sit here proudly to say Carib is incredibly happy to be on board with yet another sporting event,” Hiscock said.
This year, the Gold sponsor will sponsor the Veterans category which has a reputation for bringing the excitement to the festival.
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 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. 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 and others.
The Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey League will be played at the home of Indoor Hockey, the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue from November 24-27.