PAHF Junior Challenge… Guyana to face strong field in Barbados
Nkosi Saul in control
Nkosi Saul in control

NATIONAL Coach and Head of the Guyana Hockey Board, Phillip Fernandes, on Tuesday, announced the fixtures for the country’s participation at the upcoming Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Junior Challenge.

Set for Bridgetown, Barbados from March 9 – 16, according to Fernandes, the aim of the teams is to finish with gold or silver in both categories.

“Both our girls and boys have good opportunities at this upcoming tournament which features teams from the Caribbean and Central America and I think we are certainly competitive at that level. We do have the disadvantage of not being able to train on adequate surfaces for the tournament but we make up for that with hard work, passion and extra effort to develop skills and tactics that take us to higher level and I think we will be very competitive,” Fernandes said.

Keitana Percival is a newcomer to the game

The girl’s class will feature hosts Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Mexico, Guatemala and Puerto Rico.

Guyana, ranked 36th in the world, will open the tournament on March 6 against Guatemala who they will meet for the first time.

The ladies then come up against Mexico the following day, with the latter ranked 40th with their next fixture on March 8 against Puerto Rico followed by matches against hosts Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago.

The hosts are the highest seeded team in the competition with a world ranking of 33.

Fernandes who doubles as the women’s coach says competition for placement has seen players working harder to make it into the final squad which will be announced this week.

The GHB boss added, “As far as the training goes, I’m very excited by what I’m seeing, I think the clubs have done good work over the last two years in terms of developing players, so we are seeing a breed of new faces and players challenging for spots and this is a welcome difference to some for the last teams that we had where we relied on particular stalwarts to carry the team forward. It is very competitive to make these teams now and we have choices that are proving to be very difficult.”

The men face Guatemala in their opening match followed by Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, Brazil and their final pool round game against Barbados.

Guyana can capture one of the top two spots remaining in each eight-team competition which will place them in the Junior Pan American Games.

The Challenge is the regional qualifier for the second ever Junior Pan American Games scheduled for 9th to 22nd August in Asuncion, Paraguay.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.