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Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival launched
-teams expected from T&T, B/dos, Canada
By Rawle Welch
Some eight foreign teams from Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), Barbados (B/dos) and Canada have signalled an interest in participation in this year’s Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival which is scheduled to be played from December 8-11, at the Cliff Anderson Sport Hall.
This was intimated to the media by President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Philip Fernandes during a press briefing to launch the Festival yesterday, at the GCC Pavilion.
Fernandes, who gave the feature remarks at the launching, spoke of the genesis of the Festival which he attributed to Sports Commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira.
According to the GHB President, it was on the advice of Perreira that the idea was born to host a tournament which by all the evidence compiled has evolved into one of the most anticipated events on the region’s hockey calendar.
The tournament which started in 2004 has become a landmark event on both the local and regional charts that most of the top players in the Caribbean eagerly look forward to.
President of the GHB Philip Fernandes (second right) seen with (from left) Digicel’s Ramesh Roopchand (left) Ansa McAl’s Dharshnie Yusuf and DDL’s Larry Wills, along with GHB official Devon Hooper (right) at yesterday’s press briefing.
Fernandes said that the success of the Festival has placed it among the best tournaments in the region and one that usually attracts the widest cross-section of teams.
Fernandes informed that once again Demerara Distillers Ltd under its Diamond Mineral Water brand has been retained as the Platinum sponsor with Ansa McAl’s Carib Beer as the Gold sponsor, while cell phone giants Digicel which had expressed interest since last year, before the tournament was unfortunately cancelled is the Silver sponsor.
The Festival has a reputation for producing a top quality hockey, while the social activities are also enjoyable.
Fernandes, while acknowledging the importance of all the other sponsors including DeAbreu’s Creations and Mr. Toppers stated how proud the Board is to be associated with the three major backers.
Among the other entities coming in for praise were the Ministry of Sport, the Guyana Olympic Association and the Guyana Police Force, organisations that have played significant roles in the Festival’s success.
Meanwhile, DDL’s Marketing Assistant for the Diamond Mineral Water brand Larry Wills, who admitted that it was his first involvement in the event spoke of the Company’s proud tradition with the Festival which he disclosed is entering its seventh consecutive year, adding that the sustained support comes from the entity’s stated vision which is to aid in the development of sports across Guyana.
He encouraged all Guyana to come out to the venue and support the tournament and wished the GHB a very competitive and successful venture.
Ansa McAl’s Public Relations Officer Dharshnie Yusuf in her remarks disclosed the reason why they keep coming back on board.
She said it is because of the large involvement of youths and giving them the opportunity to showcase their skills, informing that the Company will always be part of the Festival.
She revealed that because of the benefactors of the event which is the youths and how constructively they will be engaged over the period, the decision to offer support was an easy one and promised to continue the relationship with the GHB.
Digicel’s Advertising Manager Ramesh Roopchand reminded those present of the Organisation’s unrivalled commitment to the development of sport both locally and internationally.
According to him, the whole purpose of the support is to ensure that young persons get the opportunity to be engaged in good clean sports and to provide the avenue for them to participate.
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