– Action slugs of on Thursday at CASH

THE Guyana Hockey Board, on Tuesday, launched the 20th edition of the Diamond Mineral Water International Hockey Festival at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The competition is set to run from Thursday November 27 to Sunday November 30
This year sees top local sides Old Fort, Pepsi Hiker, GCC and Saints Hockey Clubs battling club teams from Trinidad and Tobago.
Vice President of the Hockey Board, Tricia Fiedtkou, said, “I cannot express to you how extremely proud and excited I feel knowing that the Guyana Hockey Board, with the support of the Demerara Distillers Limited brand, has managed to overcome many challenges to make this Festival a reality year after year. Each year is different and this weekend, in the newly-refurbished and air-conditioned Cliff Anderson Sports hall promises to be no less exciting.”
She added, “Sports tourism is extremely important to Guyana since we cannot offer the blue water beaches but visiting teams can experience the eco-tourist attractions, culture and reknowned hospitality of our country.”
Brand Executive of the title sponsors Demerara Distiller Limited, Raveena Mangal, said the company looks forward to assisting the longest running hockey festival in Guyana and the Caribbean and to provide athletes with platform to perform.
“Now in its very impressive 20th year, each year we look forward to Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey tournament. It has been signature event in our annual calendar and its competitive spirit continues to elevate the sport. Our long-standing partnership with the Guyana Hockey Board has a meaningful impact, providing athletes with valuable opportunities to compete, grow and strengthen their skills. Diamond Mineral Water is proud to play a part in the advancement of sports nationwide.”
Ansa McAl is also sponsoring the master’s division with Brand Executive, Triston Freeman, saying that the company was delighted to continue its support of the historic competition.
“We are very excited to be a part of this tournament again; over the last decade, we have thrown our support behind the hockey federation and sports in general. We have always been supporting sport initiatives and programmes, whatever sports in Guyana and we are very interested and happy to be a part of this tournament. For the first time the tropical rhythm brand will be headlining on behalf of Ansa McAl, a brand that is very inclusive.”
Trophy stall will this year be sponsoring trophies while the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports has also given support through the usage of the renovated facility.
The clubs will battle for a purse of US$10,000 dollars in the men and women open and master Over-40 and master Over-50 categories with all games being played at the Sports Hall.
The organiser said the introduction of two veterans’ divisions is mainly because the World Cup indoor hockey tournament is set to be held in Nottingham, UK in March 2026.
The GHB is expecting to field teams in several age groups including one from the women.