Judging from the last three major indoor hockey festivals in Guyana, President of the Guyana Hockey Board, Philip Fernandes and National Coach Robert Fernandes have both agreed that the quality of the Indoor game has been lifted.
Both of the hockey stalwarts have agreed that 2016 has probably been the most successful year for hockey in the country.
Guyana would have won bronze in the last Pan American games as well as defeat a Canadian side packed with a number of top quality players who have represented the country at the highest level.
Following Pepsi Hikers’ victory over Trinidadian side, Queen’s Park in the final of the Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival, which makes them (Pepsi Hikers) the most successful team in the tournament as well as their victory over a Canadian side for the first time ever, Robert Fernandes has said that the quality has been raised. “I mean it is not just Hikers, it was Old fort, GCC and every team have all been very competitive and the quality of the tournament is probably the highest it has ever been. GCC Drew with Toronto Lions in the round robin and the semi was a high quality contest…,” the coach said, pointing out that this could have been any of the four solid teams’ game.
Similarly, the president of the hockey board also praised the efforts of the players who have all contributed and shown their maturity to challenge the more experienced teams.
“I think this year is a fantastic year, we have had international competitions in Canada, USA and Trinidad and I think when we get North American participation, the quality of hockey always rises to a higher level and the local teams really aspire to do well against the international powerhouses.”
According to a report in today’s Guyana Times, Hikers has remained undefeated in the last three tournaments. Fernandes said the team is already in training for the Pan American games which is scheduled for next year.
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