THE Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Tournament, which was officially launched yesterday with a simple ceremony at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Pavilion, Bourda, will take place December 8-11 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). Attending the ceremony were representatives of the major sponsors of the tournament – Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) through their Diamond Mineral Water Brand; Ansa McAl through their Carib Beer Brand; and Digicel – who all expressed their willingness to partner with the GHB.
DDL’s Marketing Assistant, Larry Wills, stated that his company was very pleased to be on-board for the seventh running of the tournament and thanked the teams who have participated in the tournament to make it a success.
He also expressed the faith DDL has in the hockey board for successfully staging the event and expects a good tournament based on the reviews.
Ansa McAl’s PRO Dharsnie Yusuf opined that this tournament is always supported because it is an event which gives young people and even the older ones a chance to be active competitively.
Also at the ceremony were members of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) including the president Philip Fernandes.
Fernandes stated that the board is very pleased to have these major sponsors along with other smaller, yet significant sponsors onboard for the tournament which carries a budget this year of about $3.4 million.
According to Fernandes, DDL has been their Platinum sponsor since they have branded the tournament from the beginning; Ansa McAl is the tournament Gold sponsor after climbing aboard in 2006 for the veterans’ category and Digicel, the Silver sponsor, will have their inaugural partnership this year.
The president disclosed that teams from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, USA and Canada have already confirmed their participation in this year’s edition. The teams will be battling for a top prize of US$1 000 in the male and female categories; the second-placers walk away with US$500 while the top Veteran prize is US$500.
One of the positive characteristics that come out of the tournament is that teams from regions around the world can come and participate in the event due to the low cost of living that Guyana offers so the budget is very affordable.
“Good responses have come in regionally and you find that after the tournament the word spreads around which causes more teams from regions such as Canada, USA and Europe show their interest to participate”  he said.
However, not all systems say go for the tournament. The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) where the tournament will be held is currently being renovated and works are set to conclude by mid-November.
A problem also to be rectified is  levelling off the wooden surface which is at a minor slant but will be of importance to the game which bears a spherical ball. A proper playing surface which reduces the ball’s bouncing is also on the cards but so far cost has been the main issue.