GCC Flora, Fatima Veterans and Old Fort Men triumph
… New facility, skill and explosive team competition displayed
WITH the new facility at the Mandela Avenue National Gymnasium, Guyana can now bid to host international hockey tournaments and with the explosive skills and keen competition displayed over the past three days in the 7th DMW international hockey tournament, the sport can be transformed to new heights..
These were sentiments shared by Roger St Rose, FIH Umpires Committee member, speaking with to Chronicle Sport in the just concluded Diamond Mineral Water (DMW) International Hockey Tournament.
“This is truly a new development for Guyana and hockey in the Caribbean since it’s easier to come to Guyana and the accommodation and other logistics for a successful tournament …” He commended president of the local hockey board  Philip Fernandes and his team for successfully hosting this tournament and looks forward for improved participation in future tournaments here in Guyana.
Explosives skills and team competition were displayed at a keenly contested tournament over the weekend and saw players participate in three categories.
Trinidad & Tobago Fatima Veterans, and Old Fort clinched the men’s titles. The competition was played at a very high standard and showed that the sport locally has been improving.
Fatima, on the final day, won the veterans category from Old Fort 6-1 with goals coming from Dean Nieves on target 15th, 36th, and 39th minutes, Nicholas Wren 6th, Colin Young 22nd, and Desmond Dougall 34th.
For the locals Dexter Wyles netted in the 26th minute.
In the ladies’ category GCC Flora were superb over Trinidad’s Malvern,  beating them 4-0, with Trisha Woodrooffe scoring in the  5th, 35th, minutes, Kerense Fernandes 4th, and Gabriella Xavier supporting on the 30th minute.
The breathtaking men’s final between Old Fort and GCC saw a skilful display of individual and team skills with both teams exploding..In the end Old Fort came out victorious edging GCC by a 2-1 margin.
The Simon brothers Askofu and Aderemi were the goalscorers for the Old Fort side with goals in the 5th and 27th minutes respectively, while Kevin Spencer netted for the Bourda side GCC in the 15th minute.
Medals and trophies were presented to the winners and runners-up in the three categories and activities concluded on the tournament.
The Guyana Hockey Board will review this tournament and will seek to host international hockey tournaments in 2012 with new and corrective measures from the review.
The tournament was sponsored by Diamond Mineral Water, Digicel and Ansa McAl Trading Ltd.