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Caribbean’s most attractive Hockey tournament launched; teams expected from Canada, B/dos, T&T
Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Festival…
It has become the most attractive indoor event on the sport’s calendar within the Caribbean and North America and yesterday when the 9th Edition of the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival was launched the general impression that everyone got was that this year’s tournament will be just as big and just as competitive as previous years.
Held at the Georgetown Cricket Club Pavilion and attended by representatives of the Guyana Hockey Board and sponsors representatives, the media was fed with some of the more pertinent information regarding the staging of the Festival which will be played from November 28 to December 1, at the National Gymnasium.
Officials at yesterday’s launch GHB President Philip Fernandes (2nd right) flanked by Secretary Devin Hooper (2nd left), Ansa McAl’s Dharshanie Yusuf (right) and Diamond Mineral water Brand Executive Larry Wills.
At the Head Table were GHB President Philip Fernandes, Secretary Devin Hooper, Ansa McAl’s Dharshanie Yusuf and Diamond Mineral water Brand Executive Larry Wills, who all made brief remarks pertaining to their respective entities commitment to the Festival which had its birth in 2004.
Fernandes speaking on behalf of the GHB shortly after thanking the sponsors representatives for gracing the occasion with their presence and for once again committing to be on board, spoke of the success of the tournament over its nine-year existence, informing that it has now become the most popular tournament within the Caribbean that attracts the largest foreign participation, while also reminding of its relevance towards the continued development of the sport here.
“We are happy to have our Platinum sponsor Demerara Distillers Limited who has been with us from the inception of this tournament and who we owe a great deal of its success. Before this tournament, there was no international hockey being played in Guyana and Diamond Mineral Water took the risk when they embarked on this ambitious project with us back in 2004. We look forward to being associated with this quality brand throughout the tournament and hopefully for many years to come,” Fernandes stated.
He added that the GHB is equally delighted to have Gold sponsor Carib Beer on board once again as part of the Veterans competition, disclosing that they were among the first teams to commit to this year’s Festival.
According to Fernandes, teams totaling in the vicinity of 19 are expected to be part of this year’s event and they will be coming from Canada, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and Barbados (B/dos) in addition to those from right here.
The GHB Head revealed that a number of star-studded players including Canadians Jonathan Roberts, Scott Sandison and Jewan Bath, while B/dos national Captain Rohan Thomas and former Guyanese national player Jerazeno Bell are anticipated to be present.
On the distaff side, leading Trinidadians Stacy Sui-Butt and Sherlan Cabralis along with a host of top Canadian players will go up against the best in Guyana. Ten overseas teams have confirmed participation to date, while top regional umpire Susie Gomes and International Judge Jamaica’s Richard Shaw will be here as well.
The winning teams in the Men’s and Women’s categories will collect US$1000 and runners-up US$500 in addition to trophies and medals. The winning veteran team takes home US$500 with second place set to receive incentive prizes.
Wills responding on behalf of DDL spoke of how pleased the Company was to be associated with the tournament from its inception, pointing out that it has become one of the main events on their calendar of activities each year.
“This partnership has had an incredible impact on the sport since it has provided the players with the opportunities to compete and enhance their skills. Diamond Mineral water is also proud of its contributions toward the spectrum of sports in Guyana and is committed to the development and promotion of sports as a healthy form of entertainment,” Wills said.
He pledged the Company’s support for the tournament in the future and by extension sports in general across Guyana. Yusuf, who’s Company, has been on board for the past 6 years said they were heartened by the fact that the sport has managed to gain a lot of attention recently and pointed to the pro-activeness of the GHB as one of the reasons for the sport’s progression.
She too pledged her entity’s support for the event in the future. Meanwhile, the defending champions are (Men’s)- Hikers; (Women’s)- Toronto Academy) and (Veterans)- Hikers.
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