The Guyana Hockey Board yesterday commenced a three-division, three category indoor tournament sponsored by Exxon Mobil at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
“The Guyana Hockey Board has finally received the green light to resume local hockey competition at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall albeit with strict COVID-19 guidelines,” a release from the GHB stated.
Hockey players have been inactive for a period of almost two years.
Six men’s teams will contest the men’s first-division competition including the most recent national champions, Pepsi Hikers, YMCA Old Fort, Bounty GCC, Saints, Guyana 40s and 50 Not Out.
This year’s tournament will feature two new teams comprising players preparing to contest the Indoor Masters World Cup next February.
Guyana 40s, consisting of players 40 years-old and older, will see the former stars of yesteryear in action such as Robert Fernandes, Chris Low-Koan and Devin Hooper while the 50 Not Out group, a selection of players 50 years and older will see the likes of Dexter Wyles, Damon Woodroffe and goalkeeper Allan Newark in action.
The women’s competition will feature many of the players who gained international experience this year at the Indoor Pan American Cup. Five teams will contest this group with three being from the core of national players in the GBTI GCC Ignite, GBTI GCC Spartans and the GBTI GCC Roulette. Aliyah Gordon, Marzana Fiedtkou and the Xavier sisters, Gabriella and Alysa are likely to be key players for these teams while promising juniors Sarah Klautky, Madison Fernandes and Aosaide Cadogan will have an opportunity to showcase their improved games after international competition this year.
St Stanislaus has been the fastest improving side with young breakout star Clayza Bobb expected to lead their attack while the Misfits will be mixing youth and experience. They will be led by former national player Maria Munroe.
The men’s second-division competition will see six teams in YMCA Old Fort, Saints Sensations, Saints Scorpions, Hikers Cadets, GCC Pitbulls and GCC War Dogs competing.
The competition will run until December 5th with the finals beginning at 16:00.
