After being launched under lights amid much fanfare at the Providence National Stadium on October 8, the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) First Division Men’s and Women’s leagues will culminate this weekend with the semi-finals being played today and the finals contested on Sunday. Both divisions have already seen the GCC men and women’s clubs book spots in the finals and are awaiting the winners from today’s respective semis. In the Woodpecker Products Women’s league, the Saints Women will clash with the Woodpecker Hikers today from 2 pm with the winner joining GBTI GCC in tomorrow’s ladies final.
Meanwhile, the Saints men will take on arch rivals YMCA Old Fort in the Farfan & Mendes Men’s League at 4 pm.
Saints men’s coach, Robert Fernandes, is hopeful of his side overcoming Old Fort, as their last meeting had resulted in a 1-2 defeat for his side.
In an invited comment ahead of today’s semi-final, Coach Fernandes expressed his delight at the competitive nature of the tournament, stating; “All the matches have been very competitive so far, most of them have been decided by a one-goal margin, We do expect a tough match against Old Fort. We lost 1-2 against them last time. We are hoping to turn the tables this time around”. Meanwhile, GHB boss, Phillip Fernandes, told Stabroek News Sports that the leagues have seen a marked improvement over the course of the last few weeks, something he attributes to the playing surface at Providence.
“The leagues have really been run off very well. The matches have been entertaining, the players have stepped up their games. Even during the tournament you could have seen an improvement in play, where teams are starting to be more cohesive, come together and we started to see better and better quality hockey on display. Come this weekend, I think by the time the finals are played on Sunday, fans will see a really first class exhibition of hockey being played”. “Of course the facilities at the National Stadium lend to this exercise, because it is one of the best grass fields in the region and in fact makes for good quality hockey where there are a lot less unforced errors. As in any sport, where you remove the unforced errors, we are left with equality where tactics and technical skills are on show for spectators to enjoy”, Phillip Fernandes declared. In addition to being the GHB President, Phillip Fernandes at times wears the cap of coach and has offered his two cents in regard to the various teams’ chances. He was especially keen on the performance of the Saints teams, stating, “The youthful Saints teams are vying for spots in both finals, they are the real livewires of the tournament and have brought real joy to the leagues”.
Despite the Saints electric performances, Fernandes believes that any team could win on the day, “Then the Old Fort men boast a wealth of talent, they have probably the most skilful collection of men in their side that can sway a match on any given day. “The Hikers ladies also have great experience with some key individuals who have been carrying the show for them, which makes them strong contenders. So we expect an exciting weekend of hockey which we can all enjoy”. While the semi-finals are being played today, there will also be three exhibition matches played at the U-16 level beginning at 12 pm. There will also be a fundraising in the form of a barbecue and lunch hosted by the Hockey Board at the stadium. The leagues will finish in grand style under the lights on Sunday night, with women’s final bullying off at 7 pm while the men will play for top honours at 9 pm.
