A record 21 local and international teams are expected to participate in the fourth annual Diamond Mineral Water indoor hockey festival billed for November 29 – December 2 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Speaking at a media briefing to launch this year’s festival, President of the Guyana Hockey Board, (GHB) Philip Fernandes, disclosed that a team from Venezuela was likely to participate for the first time joining teams from Barbados, United States and Trinidad and Tobago while the Canadians have opted out.
“We have received confirmation from teams in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and the United States and have, for the first time, the strongest possibility of a men’s team from Venezuela,” Fernandes revealed.
He said eight foreign teams have confirmed their attendance so far while six more have showed an interest which, when added to the seven participating local teams, will bring the total to 21 making the festival the largest to date.
The Toronto side, featuring several Canadian national players, won last year’s men’s tournament while Raiders of Trinidad and Tobago took the female crown.
Fernandes said the festival had brought 180 foreigners to Guyana last year supporting the national tourism initiative and its development through sports.
Demerara Distillers Ltd. is in partnership with the GHB once again through its brand Diamond Mineral Water and, according to the local hockey board president, “DDL has been a great partner of hockey and we have enjoyed working with them in this event over the years and we are grateful for the company’s continued support.”
In response, DDL’s Marketing Representative, Alanna Johnson, said that her company continued to support the festival because they were satisfied at the way the hockey board had run the tournament over the years.
Johnson said her company had made a substantial contribution again this year and that they looked forward to strengthening the partnership not only with hockey but sports in general.
Fernandes said that the budget was $3.5 million and that the Board was looking to other businesses to come on board.
Ansa Mc Al is also one of the major sponsors and the GHB was awaiting confirmation from the Beharry Group of Companies, who sponsored last year’s children exhibition programme, he added.
International Hockey Federation (FIH) umpires manager Roger St. Rose of Trinidad and Tobago has been invited to coordinate the umpires.
St. Rose is also expected to conduct a Workshop for umpires during his stay in Guyana.
Fernandes said that the Festival has grown tremendously over the past four years noting that Guyana’s hockey development hinges greatly on the tournament since the Board was unable to host international outdoor tournaments due to the lack of an artificial surface in the country.
“We have witnessed the effects of the previous festivals by the increased enthusiasm among players and spectators alike. The constant upgrades of the Sports Hall are welcomed and once the floor can be brought up to international standards there is likelihood that participation can be extended to teams as far as Europe,” Fernandes said.
He disclosed that the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, had been very supportive, while the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) had consented to host the opening ceremony.
The festival will be run in three categories, men, women and veterans and among the overseas teams already confirmed in the men’s division are Malvern of Trinidad and Tobago, Brooklyn All Stars of United States, Empire of Barbados, (women) Malvern, Checkers and defending champions Raiders all of the twin-island republic.
In the veteran category the teams already registered are Fatima and Malvern both of Trinidad and Old Fort of the United States.
The other teams who have shown an interest include Padre Siejas of Venezuela, Queens Park and Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and Deacons of Barbados.
The local teams are Georgetown Cricket Club, Everest Hikers and Old Fort in both male and female categories and Carib Degenerates in the veteran class and there is also likely to be a former GCC line up.
Cash prizes and trophies will once again be awarded to the winners and runners up in the male, female and veteran categories.
The winners in both male and female tournaments will each receive $1000 (US), while the runner up will cart off $500 US. The winner of the veteran tournament will take home $500 US with the second-placed team receiving incentive prizes.
