The Guyana Under-21 boys’ and girls’ hockey teams are in intense preparation mode as they set their sights on the 2025 PAHF Junior Challenge, scheduled to take place in Bridgetown, Barbados, from March 8–16. The tournament serves as the regional qualifier for the prestigious Junior Pan American Games, slated for August 9–22 in Asunción, Paraguay.
With rigorous training sessions ongoing at the GCC Ground in Bourda during the week and the Providence Stadium on weekends, both teams are fine-tuning their skills ahead of the high-stakes competition. According to a press release from the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), the final squad selections are expected to be completed by Sunday (February 9).
The Guyanese girls’ team will compete in a single-pool format against five other nations—host Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Guatemala and Puerto Rico. Their campaign kicks off on March 6 at 10 am against Guatemala, a team they have never faced before. However, with a world ranking of 36 compared to Guatemala’s unranked status, the Guyanese side enters the match as favourites.
Their toughest challenge is expected to come against Mexico, ranked 40th in the world, whom they face the following morning. After a rest day, they take on Puerto Rico before clashing with the top-seeded team in the competition, Barbados, ranked 33rd. The final group-stage match pits them against regional rivals Trinidad & Tobago.
The Guyanese boys’ team will also face a challenging single-pool format, featuring Brazil, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, and Venezuela. Like their female counterparts, they begin their campaign against Guatemala before taking on Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, Brazil, and hosts Barbados in successive matches.
With tough opposition ahead, the boys will look to build momentum early and position themselves for a strong tournament run.
Both teams will be aiming for a top finish to secure qualification for the Junior Pan American Games, marking another milestone for Guyana’s youth hockey programme.
