The third edition of the Hikers seven-a-side mixed Hockey Festival, which will be played on Monday, was officially launched yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club on Carifesta Avenue and Camp Road.

The one-day event will feature nine teams and will be comprised of players from each of the major clubs, notably GCC, Hikers, Saints, and Old Fort.
The competing teams, whose players were selected following an official draw, are I-Net, Coles, Muse, Hoyte Logistics, Jai Signs, Sensodyne, Brand It, Germans, and Dyrock Construction. The aforesaid sides will be divided into two groups, with one pool featuring five and the other featuring four.
The winner of the event, which was previously staged in 2013 and 2016 and is sanctioned by the Guyana Hockey Board, will receive $100,000 and a case of Guinness. The runner-up will pocket medals and a case of Guinness.

Devin Munroe, President of the Hikers, stated that the tournament is unique in that it fosters bonds between the respective players, adding that he envisions another successful iteration that is fully endorsed by the local governing body.

He further thanked the major sponsors, Demerara Fire & Mutual Limited, and Global Technology via its I-Net brand, for their continued support of the initiative.
Meanwhile, Demerara Fire and General Mutual Limited representative Marketing Officer, Mina Narine, stated that the company recognises the integral importance played by sports and will continue to support the development of the discipline and the sports sector.

Similarly, Global Technology Manager, Jacqueline Weekes, posited that the company is proud to once again be a part of this initiative, adding that the entity understands the value of sports, especially for the younger generation.