By Treiston Joseph
Guyana’s hockey teams which have qualified for the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games on Thursday paid a courtesy call on Social Cohesion Minister, Dr. George Norton, who has responsibility for Sport.
Coming off their gold (female) and silver (male) medal performances at the CAC qualifiers in Jamaica, Director of Sport Christopher Jones welcomed the team by highlighting their achievements.
During the brief meeting, Dr. Norton urged the team to keep striving for success, especially when the CAC games rolls around in eight months time while pledging the government’s support to the teams.
“I must congratulate you for being so successful in that qualifying tournament, but I must remind you that while it brings you closer to manifesting the true champions that you are, it is now the hard work begins.
“Guyana has been competing in those games (CAC) for the longest while and we have 58 medals so far but none from Hockey and I know you have what it takes, you can do it, you’ve shown it to us, it’s yours for the taking but do not thro caution to the wind, you got to work hard, it’s our first time or chances is so real, don’t let it slip away,” Dr. Norton noted.
Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Hockey Board, Philip Fernandes, thanked the Ministry for its public display towards the players, whom he believes is “deserving” of the adulation.
Fernandes also noted that the board is looking at international coaching to help prepare the team for the CAC Games in Columbia in mid-2018.
The female squad won gold and the males silver amidst some controversy (blackout stopped the male final), but the board is looking ahead to 2018 in an effort to bag Guyana’s first CAC hockey medal.
