GT&T National Indoor Hockey Championships start on Monday

Oct 23, 2010 Sports

Five matches are scheduled for opening night of this year’s GT&T National Indoor Hockey Championships which is set to begin on Monday from 18:00hrs, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The matches are as follows: GCC Tigers versus Spartans (Ladies); Police vs. Old Fort (Division 2); GCC vs. Western Dragons (Division 2); Old Fort vs. Hikers (Veterans) and GCC vs. Hikers (Division 1).
Headlining the night’s fixtures is the clash between GCC and Hikers in the First Division and even though it is the start of the competition every time these two teams meet the standard of hockey is at the highest level.
The two teams clashed recently in the outdoor format in the Banks DIH ‘Nite’ Tournament and it was Hikers that prevailed in a closely fought contest so much is at stake for the GCC team.
The GT&T event is the premier indoor competition for local teams and promises to be highly competitive with the title of indoor champs for 2010 up for grabs.
With Guyana having recently sent men’s and women’s national teams abroad, this year’s competition is expected to be of a high quality with keen rivalries between the top clubs. Young players like Reon Branford and Robert France who recently made their national debuts in August at the Pan American Club Championships in Caracas, will be keen to prove their worth against the seasoned veterans of the game.
Hikers are expected to be the heavy favourites in the men’s competition, boasting as many as seven national players in their first division line-up.
Old Fort will once again be seeking to recapture the glory that made them 2007 indoor champs through quality strikers Aderemi and Ascofu Simon and the stability of coach/player Chris Low Koan at centre.
GCC’s Orland Semple and Kevin Spencer are sure to give the crowd something magical as the skilful duo along with the relentless defence of Dwayne Scott also makes their side a strong contender.
The Western Dragons usually bring their up-tempo style of play which results in high-scoring affairs and will be led once again by Rayon Branford and the Sampson brothers.
In the female competition, young Marzana Fiedtkou and Michaela Harding, for the GCC Spartans and Hikers respectively, will be eager to match their skills against their senior counterparts and their vast improvement over the year is sure to make an impact.
The Spartans have been threatening to win their first title for the past two years and with the ever-improving Fiedtkou and Xavier sisters (Gabriella and Alysa), this just might be their tournament.
Hikers will be anchored by Marisha Rodrigues and Cora Towler, while the re-appearance of former national captain Maria Munroe, will surely bolster the side.
The GCC Tigers are the defending national champs and remain favourites to take the title. Strikers Sonia Jardine and Kerensa Fernandes return to a team that will also be strengthened this year by the addition of nationals Trisha Woodroffe and Ulrica Sutherland.
This year’s tournament also features the over-35 category with former nationals like Gavin Hope, Damon Woodroffe, Dexter Wyles and Timothy McIntosh on show along with the Under-19 competition showcasing the youthful talent of recent Under-21 MVP Andrew Stewart, Stephen Xavier and Aryody Branford among others.
The tournament runs from Monday 25th to Sunday 31st with a break on Friday 29th when boxing takes centre stage. Matches during the week begin at 18:00hrs while they begin at 17:00hrs on Saturday and 16:00hrs on the final night.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News