Latest update April 11th, 2025 9:20 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Pan Am Elite All-Star pays courtesy call on Sport Minister

Jan 24, 2014 Sports

National goalkeeper Alysa Xavier paid a courtesy call on Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, at his office on Main Street yesterday. Xavier, who is currently on scholarship at the Miami University in Ohio, was accompanied by President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Philip Fernandes and Vice-President Ivor Thompson.
The local hockey star is the lone Guyanese named on the Pan American Elite hockey squad that also features 7-time world player of the year, Argentine Luciana Aymar among other top players within the Pan Am region.
Dr. Anthony applauded Xavier on her achievement and offered words of encouragement, adding that he is hopeful that her selection to the Elite squad will provide inspiration to more females to get involved in not just hockey, but other sports as well.
According to Fernandes, the Pan American Hockey Federation selects an all-star team among players from all of the Americas every two years, based on their performances during the period and she is the first Guyanese to be selected to the Elite All-Star squad in its history, referring to it as a fantastic achievement and one that could only serve to inspire more players from this country to want to excel to attain the honor.
He added that Xavier was selected along with five players from world champions Argentina, three each from the USA and Canada, two from Chile and one each from Mexico and Uruguay.
Fernandes said, “Alysa finds herself in esteemed company and is the only player from the English speaking Caribbean to be selected.This is a significant achievement and is the first time a player from Guyana has ever been selected for this accolade.”
He disclosed, “Alysa begun playing hockey at 13-years-old. She excelled both at goalkeeping and field play, but chose to pursue the former as she was also a keen football player. Being one of those gifted athletes to whom all ball sports seem to come easily, Alysa excelled at hockey goalkeeping, rising rapidly in the ranks to earn her first national selection less than two years later. Since 2007, Alysa has been a fixture in the women’s national hockey team as its first choice goalkeeper and was one of the key players responsible for Guyana’s rise in world ranking over the past few years including a record 20 place jump in 2013.”
The GHB President pointed out that the Guyanese stopper is well known within the Caribbean as one of the top goalkeepers and has won numerous individual awards for goalkeeping than any other active goalkeeper in the English-speaking Caribbean.
“Alysa continues to represent Guyana with distinction in international competition as evidenced by her selection to the 2013 PAHF elite team. The GHB hopes that other young men and women can follow Alysa’s example of maximising their potential through hard work and dedication to the sport or any other pursuit that they love. The Board also wishes to thank the Ministry of Sport and the Guyana Olympic Association for their support, especially throughout the past few years which has enabled the Guyana women’s team and Alysa to showcase their talents on the international stage,” Fernandes stated.
Xavier in brief comments said that she is enjoying the scholarship so far, adding that even though combining studies and playing hockey is “hard”, it is not beyond her capability.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Moo sponsored National Junior’s Squash C/ship eying exciting conclusion

Moo sponsored National Junior’s Squash C/ship eying exciting...

Apr 11, 2025

-Thrilling action unfolds on Day Three Kaieteur Sports- The courts at the National Racquet Centre (NRC) were once again buzzing with intensity on Wednesday as Day Three of Moo’s National Junior...
Read More
BK Group remains supportive of Bartica Easter Regatta

BK Group remains supportive of Bartica Easter...

Apr 11, 2025

GFF-Blue Water Shipping National U15 Secondary School Girl’s Football C/ship officially launched

GFF-Blue Water Shipping National U15 Secondary...

Apr 11, 2025

Elite League action returns to NTC this weekend

Elite League action returns to NTC this weekend

Apr 11, 2025

Two more young cricketers benefit from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

Two more young cricketers benefit from Project...

Apr 10, 2025

NSC receives sports uniforms from D8Door & Hardware Inc.

NSC receives sports uniforms from D8Door &...

Apr 10, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]