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Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival launched
By Rawle Welch
With the major sponsors’ representatives in attendance, the 8th Edition of the Annual Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival was launched during a simple ceremony that was held, at the Georgetown Cricket Club yesterday.
Held in the club’s Pavillion, President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Philip Fernandes spearheaded remarks which were also made by Demerara Distillers Ltd Brand Manager Alexis Langhorne, Ansa Mcal’s Dharshanie Yussuf and Digicel’s Shonnet Moore.
Fernandes in his presentation initially welcomed representatives of the sponsors, before giving an outline of the Festival’s history.
According to the GHB President, the tournament since its initial staging in 2004 has now become a landmark event on the local and regional hockey calendars with its only year of absence being in 2010 when it was affected by repairs to the venue which at that time was the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
GHB President Philip Fernandes (second right) seen at the Head Table along with (from left) Digicel’s Shonnet Moore, Ansa McAl’s Dharshanie Yussuf, DDL’s Alexis Langhorne and GHB official Devon Hooper yesterday.
Fernandes added that due to the success of the Festival it has now been placed as being among the premier tournaments in the region and one that attracts the widest cross section of teams.
He paid special tribute to Platinum sponsor DDL for sticking with the tournament since its inception, adding that the GHB owe a debt of gratitude to the Company for once again being a superb partner in building the event to what it has become today.
Fernandes, also showered praise on Gold and Silver sponsors Ansa Mcal and Digicel respectively for their support for the sport and more directly the Festival.
Ansa Mcal under its Carib Beer brand came on board a few years ago and sponsored the ever-growing Veterans segment which was introduced in 2006 and caters for players over the age of 35 years, while Digicel, another major contributor to sports has added its name to the Women’s component of the tournament.
He mentioned other entities such as Scotiabank, DeAbreu’s Creations, Bounty Farm Ltd, Clear Connect, the Continental Group of Companies, E-Networks, C&V Shipping, Edward B. Beharry, Horizon Construction, the Barber Shop, Cell Phone Shack, The Grill and Big Daddy’s as all important contributors to the Festival.
The Guyana Olympic Association and the Ministry of Sport also came in for special mention as important providers of assistance to the tournament.
Langhorne in her remarks said the Company is extremely pleased to once again be associated with the Festival, adding that there was no hesitation on their part to partner with the GHB, especially since they’ve watched it grow to accommodate both local and regional participation.
She pointed to the indelible impact the partnership has created which has now provided opportunities to the players to compete and enhance their skills. Langhorne stated that they are heartened that the Festival encourages equality in the sport through the participation of both sexes representing teams locally and internationally.
Yussuf said Ansa Mcal like the other sponsors was indeed pleased to be linked with the Festival which allows young people across the Caribbean and further to excel and display their skills.
She added that the tournament provides an avenue for them to not only showcase their skills, but also to boast about playing in a well organised event in Guyana, years from now.
Moore while echoing sentiments expressed by her counterparts stated how pleased the Company is that the event is being hosted in Guyana, informing that from all reports about the general conduct of the tournament, they too had no hesitation in affixing their support.
She, too, acknowledged that the Festival has truly become the premier indoor hockey tournament in the Caribbean and expressed optimism that it will attract many young person’s over the four days of competition which runs from November 29 – December 2, at the National Gymnasium.
Meanwhile, teams from Canada, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago have already confirmed participation in addition to the local teams, making it a total of 17 to date. Those confirmed from overseas are: Toronto Academy (Canada), YMCA (Barbados) and Malvern, Fatima, Carib, Magnolias and Queen’s Park of T&T.
The respective winners of the Men’s and Women’s categories will receive US$1000, while runners-up US$500. The winner of the Veteran Division will take home US$500, while the runner-up gets incentive prizes.
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