Guyana: Diamond Mineral hockey tournament hailed a success 
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| Guyana hockey |
November 30, 2004 
Guyana Chronicle
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THE first-ever Dianond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival, which concluded at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Sunday, has been hailed as a success by a number of persons.
GT&T representative Debra Lewis presents MVP trophy to Wayne Legerton of Malvern.
One such person is veteran cricket commentator Joseph 'Reds' Perreira.
Perreira, addressing the teams and fans at the end of the final, said that the donation of US$1 000 was the best investment he has made in the sporting arena.
"I think the tournament was well organised and run; there were a few hiccups but the hockey board did a fine job."
Perreira, who arrived in Guyana over the weekend, expressed optimism that the 2005 Festival will be bigger and better.
"Word is going to spread about the tournament and the success story of the 14 teams that participated and the development of the sport/tourism drive as well," he noted.
Conrad Plummer presents MVP (female) trophy to Stacey Ann Siu-Butt of Magnolias. (Colin Bess-Nelson photos)
He congratulared all who played a part in making the four-day event a success.
Meanwhile, Canada-based Rene Edwards, captain of the Toronto Galaxy team, said that the tournament was a good one.
He said that Guyana needs more competitions of this nature to improve the level of play in Guyana.
Edwards, Guyanese by birth and a former Everest Hikers player, said that they will be back to defend their title in 2005 and they are going to spread the word to the other clubs.
The tall, dark-skinned player said that the Festival is a different brand of hockey as compared with what they are accustomed to in Canada.
Trinidadian female champs Magnolias are also going to be back to defend their title after making a clean sweep, playing undefeated.
Nicola Pierre, the captain, said they played hard and won the tournament ending the year on a high note. The club has won all the Trinidad titles for the year.
Pierre said that the difference between the locals and Trinidad is that they lack exposure, experience and development but have the right spirit for the game.
She noted that the locals lack a variety in the number of teams competing and with the inclusion of more players and international competitions the level of play will improve.
Pierre noted that in Trinidad the players begin playing the game in the school system and grow into it.
"They (locals) have the skills potential for the game but a variety is needed," Perreira noted.
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