Demerara Distillers Limited’s (DDL) Diamond Mineral Water has joined forces with Ansa McAl’s Carib Brand for the 11th edition of the Guyana Hockey Board’s International indoor festival set for this week.Officially dubbed the Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival to shorten the name, the tournament will commence on Thursday and run until Sunday, featuring teams from North America and the Caribbean.
During yesterday’s launch, President of the GHB Philip Fernandes said, “The tournament continues to attract top teams from the Caribbean Region and North America and is a key Ingredient for keeping the level of hockey in Guyana on par with that of the Region.”
“This year’s competition will once again feature some of the top talents in the game, “continued Fernandes.
Brand manager of Diamond Mineral Water Larry Wills, the tournament’s platinum sponsor contended, “From the beginning of the festival, we have seen a strong competitiveness and great sportsmanship as well as fair conduct and refereeing of games.”
“We are also heartened that the tournament recognises equality in sport through the participation of both male and female teams,” Continued Wills.
Carib Brand Executive Richard Singh said, “Asna Mcal is pleased to be associated with this tournament once again. Over the years we have been able to see the quality of players and games.”
Included among the foreign teams are Revamp HQ from Canada, Malvern and Carib Hockey clubs from Trinidad, and Tobago and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) from Barbados, bringing the number of competing teams to 18.
The winner of the tournament in both the male and female divisions will cart of US $1000 while the runners up will take home US$500.
On the veteran end of things, the winner will take home US$500.
The most valuable player trophies will also be up for grabs and will be presented after the tournament on Sunday evening, at the National Gymnasium, the tournament’s exclusive venue.
By Stephan Sookram