GHB/Diamond Mineral Water indoor tourney …
HIKERS male and female teams are raring to go in this year’s Guyana Hockey Board (GHB)/Diamond Mineral Water-sponsored 6th Annual International Indoor Hockey Festival which flicks off tomorrow at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 15:00 h.

Hikers, the men’s defending champions who have won the open category on three occasions, are a confident bunch once again this year, despite losing to GCC in the final of the GT&T National Indoor Championships recently at the same venue.

Hikers are the only local men’s team to ever stand in a Diamond Mineral Water final and have traditionally fielded teams in the ladies’ and open divisions, and this year, with some of the fruits ripening quickly, are looking to try their luck in the Veterans department.

Hikers pride themselves in bringing new blood to the sport, and both the men’s and ladies’ teams feature new additions.

The ladies’ team will be playing without seven of their more experienced players due to injuries and some, school commitments overseas, but will be led by Marisha Rodrigues, Vashema Bourne and Makini Harry.

The other female players will be making their debut in the tournament.

The men’s team featuring Jerry “Skill axe’ Bell, a known hockey entertainer throughout the Caribbean, team captain Devin Munroe, coach/player Timothy McIntosh, Alex Gouviea and goalkeeper Azad ‘Superman’ De Abreu will be vying to defend their crown.

Fittingly the team been left with the title “The dinking team with a hockey problem” and although their sip rate has dipped lately, you’re still likely to find a Hiker strolling in for the first game in his or her night suit.

The fact that the team is sponsored by the makers of the best rum in the world has not helped.

Next to Demerara Distillers Limited, Global Technology and Scotiabank have generously supported the development of hockey at Hikers over the years.

The defending ladies’ team in the open category is GCC Tigers who will have their work cut out if they are to retain that title, since Hikers ladies will be out to emulate their male compatriots.

Apart from Hikers ladies, GCC Tigers can expect keen competition from the GCC ladies’ Under-21 unit that recently won the Magnolias indoor tournament in Trinidad, but that will depend on if the team’s coach Philip Fernandes keeps the Under-21 team as one unit.

Meanwhile, club teams from Trinidad and Tobago as well as Barbados will start arriving in Guyana this morning and begin their practice sessions at the Sports Hall this evening. (Michael DaSilva)