– as GHB opens 2008 season
Weather permitting, the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) will open its 2008 season today with a one-day tournament at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.
Bully off is at 09:00 hours.
Two playing fields will be used and all hockey players nationwide are expected to be on show including the junior enthusiasts as the GHB launches its inaugural Scotiabank Youth Hockey League.
The senior tournament featuring male and female teams will be split into two divisions. At stake will be prizes donated by Carib Beer, Thrill soft drinks and More juices.
While the senior men’s teams battle for supremacy in the `A’ division, the ladies will square off for the first time against the junior division male teams in the B division, according to officials of the GHB.
The Everest Hikers senior men’s team will be led as usual by national midfielder and captain Devin Munroe and ball-wizard Jerazeno Bell, while Old Fort is likely to put up a strong challenge through the gifted Aderemi Simon and goalkeeper Tony Cole.GCC will be determined to defend their home soil with the efforts of the evergreen Damon Woodroffe and Dwayne Scott, while Ivor Thompson of the Carib Degenerates and Adrian Sampson in goal for the Western Dragons will be hoping their teams can create upsets against the favoured clubs.
In the `B’ division, the GCC men, coming off a sterling 2007, is likely to be the team to beat with the likes of the skilful Zach Gonsalves, Shaka Henry and Chris Xavier.
Young Jason Clarke and the experienced Randy Hope will lead the Hikers, while Michael Hawke and Dwayne Allen are sure to leave their mark for Police and Old Fort respectively.
National ladies’ captain Maria Munroe, along with Everest Divas team-mates Amanda Garnett and Cora Towler, will be eager to face the new challenges of the junior male teams as will captain Sonia Jardine of the GCC Tigers which also features teenage sensation Marzena Fiedtkou.
The Day of Excitement also showcases the launch of the highly anticipated Scotiabank Youth Hockey League which features children under 13 and under 17 years of age.
The league will comprise a series of matches in the two divisions with its launch scheduled for 12:30 hours.
The GCC Tigers will take on Police in the first match of the day on field one while the Everest Divas takes on Old Fort B.
Matches will be played throughout the day with the winners being decided on points at the conclusion.
