The recent successes of Guyana’s hockey internationally apparently did not go unnoticed resulting in International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Leandro Negre and his Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) counterpart Alberto Budeisky making their inaugural visit to Guyana on Monday.
Guest of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), the nature of the trip was to hold discussions with the entity’s President Phillip Fernandes and several other influential sporting figures such as Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Chief Karan Juman-Yassin on how to continue the upward trajectory of the discipline on the local and international fronts.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday held at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) prior to the duo’s departure yesterday, Negre said the main objective of the trip was to converse with the necessary authorities on the possibility of acquiring land for the commissioning of an artificial playing area for the local federation.
The Spaniard noted that the venture is a collaborative effort between the FIH and the PAHF and will greatly improve and expand the nation’s current developmental ambitions.
According to Negre, once the GHB is successful in its acquisition of the land, the development of the sport will progress at a faster rate.
He opined that the country’s lack of such a facility will hamper their ability to constantly compete with countries that already possess those resources.
Continuing, the FIH President said that the facility will also be used to stage international matches and competitions, which will in turn become an income generating vehicle for the federation to use towards the game’s overall evolution.
Negre’s visit to the country is extremely important as it signifies the first time that an FIH President is visiting local shores. Likewise, Budeisky’s arrival is the first in over 20 years since a PAHF President has visited the lone English speaking South American nation.
Similarly echoing the previous sentiments was Argentine Budeisky who noted that Guyana’s continued success on the international stage with limited resources is one of the main reasons that they deserve an artificial playing surface.
Budeisky who took office in 2013 noted that once the facility comes to fruition, his body is willing to continue their prosperous relationship and support towards Guyana to see the sport maintain its developmental ambitions. He further thanked the local body for organizing the event.
Fernandes during a brief address said that it was a landmark day for the sport which signifies that further development is afoot while thanking the duo for making the trip and attempting to help the developmental charge of the GHB.
