Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) President Phillip Fernandes says that the highlight for the sport during the year 2013 was the first time participation of the national women side in the Pan American Hockey (PAHF) Cup in Mendoza, Argentina.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sports, Fernandes said:”Although there were a number of bright spots for the year, I think that our national women participating for the first time in the prestigious PAHF Cup in Argentina was probably the greatest single achievement for the year.”
He added:”While the women finished at the bottom of the eight-team PAHF Cup, this tournament was well beyond the expected reach of Guyana and for the team to be ranked 16th in Pan Am and qualify to compete with the top 8 was a fantastic achievement in itself.”
Questioned about the goals sets by the association to be achieved in 2013, Fernandes noted:”I think the association achieved many of its goals and it was a great year for hockey. The association embarked on several very difficult projects and managed to complete them with success”. Asked about the shortcoming that might have been experienced throughout the year, Fernandes said:”Our only short-coming has been our inability to complete the two major outdoor tournaments in the Farfan & Mendes Men’s first division league and the John Fernandes Insurance Services Ltd second division competition”.
According to Fernandes, the current hockey playing community includes members from all spectrums of society and that the single reason hockey is viewed as a niche sport is due to financial burden can that develop with regards to the acquiring of equipment. “Sports, where each individual requires their own equipment always provides a financial challenge. Twenty two children can play football with one ball, or cricket with one ball and two bats, but for hockey, every player requires their own stick,” added Fernandes.
Recalling the great success experienced by the GHB over the past three years with the women’s program, Fernandes stated that the same success will attempt to be duplicated on the men’s side going forward.
“The Guyana men’s national programme has recently been revived and we are aiming to send a men’s team to the PAHF Indoor Championships in April 2014. The competition is in Uruguay and so fund-raising efforts have already begun as that is always the biggest hurdle to overseas competition,” noted Fernandes.
“In addition, the ladies have the opportunity now to compete in the CAC Games which is a qualifier for the Pan American Games in Toronto 2015 or the World League which is a global competition that follows a similar format to that of the football World Cup where qualifiers are played well in advance and has several rounds of qualification.”
Questioned about the developmental avenues that can be accessed by Guyana through the International Hockey Federation (FIH), Fernandes said:”I have since met with Leandro Negre, the President of the FIH and he has told me that if the GHB can secure the land for a pitch to installed, the FIH would provide half the cost which is approximately $12,000,000.
“The cost of the artificial grass carpet ranges depending on the quality and type but a fair average would be $24,000,000. We have approached the Minister of Sport regarding access to land for this purpose and he has provided us a response in writing indicating that, if the GHB acquires the funds and can present a sound plan for the construction of an artificial pitch for hockey, a suitable area of land will be made available,” said Fernandes.
“Since my return from Argentine where we spoke, I have exchanged e-mails with him (Negre) seeking the exact guidelines under which the grant can be made.
I am trying to find out the details of what is required to satisfy the FIH before I take the matter to the Minister of Sport to update him.
“For example I do not think we need to own the land but the FIH may require some degree of satisfaction that their investment will benefit hockey in Guyana by having the property always accessible to hockey.
This is a very exciting opportunity and we plan to follow it up closely to ensure that it is not lost,” said Fernandes.
