THE Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) is pleased to announce the hosting of its first indoor hockey tournament for the year, scheduled for Tuesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 3 at the National Gymnasium. The tournament is made possible through the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport under the One Guyana initiative.

The competition will feature Open and Under-19 Divisions for both males and females.

The ladies competition is expected to be of a high quality as it will showcase a number of players in both the senior and U-19 divisions who are currently preparing for the junior Pan American Games in Peru this August.

GBTI GCC has been the dominant team in ladies hockey over the past several years and will once again feature Captain Gabriella Xavier along with under 21 stalwarts Sarah Klautky, Kirsten Gomes, Madison Fernandes and Abosaide Cadogan. National midfielder Clayza Bobb leads a strong Saints contingent littered with Under-21 internationals while Old Fort’s Carolyn Deane and Temmara Clarke will add experience to an otherwise youthful side. The Hikers will round out the ladies table with Captain Kenisha Wills and former nationals Maria Munroe and Marisha Fernandes.

Men’s powerhouse, the Pepsi Hikers will once again be led by national captain Robert France, and supported by internationals Jamarj Assanah and Andrew Stewart. National junior captain, Shaquan Favourite leads a bevy of up-and-coming Old Fort stars including Simeon Moore and Nkosi Saul. Saints emerge as strong contenders also in the men’s division with the four Garnett boys, skillful midfielder Shakeem Fausette and penalty corner specialist Jabari Lovell. Bounty GCC, SHC S Team and the GCC Outlaws round out the men’s division.

Saints in the girls U-19 division and SHC Snipers in the boys U19 are the runaway favourites for the gold in the junior competitions which features a range of players from junior internationals to players making their debut.

The competition runs all week with the finals set for Sunday, October 30, from 17:20hrs.