The Guyana Hockey Board, in its quest to see the sport become a household name locally, recently hosted its Junior Hockey tournament at the Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. The tournament ran for two consecutive weekends in October.
The children were grouped in four divisions, starting with the Under-11, 13, 16 and Under-20. The Under-11 and 13 categories were mixed teams.
“While the Under-11 and 13 are still learning the game, they are familiar with the basics of hockey and are part of clubs. The youngsters showed much delight and enthusiasm while their parents and hockey fans supported them,” the Board said in a release.
The GCC Pugs were crowned champions of the Under-11 Mixed division, defeating GCC Bulldogs. In the third position was YMCA Old Fort, and the Most Valuable Players were Letifa Fields and Khristian Viapree.
In the Under-13 Mixed category, GCC Thunders took the trophy, with runners-up being Saints Scorchers and Saints Scalpels. The MVPs of this category were Makeala Poole and Kyle Couchman.
In the Under-16 Girls’ category, Saints Sensations outplayed YMCA Old Fort Wildcats, with GCC Tornadoes bringing up the rear with third position.
GCC War Dogs are the new Under-16 Boys champion, defeating Saints Scorpions, with Saints Supreme taking third. Kazaquah Uzzi, who played for Saints, was declared MVP girl, and Vladimir Woodroofe of GCC was crowned Under-16 boys MVP.
The Under-20 boys and girls showed much skill and determination, with some being on the National Team and already representing Guyana.
In the Girls’ finals, GCC Herricanes defeated their sister team GCC Spartans. Abosaide Cadogan netted both goals for the Herricanes, while Madison Fernades netted the lone goal for the Spartans.
The MVP was Clayza Bobb of Saints Conquerors, who played a brilliant game in the semi-finals, but her team eventually lost to GCC Spartans in a penalty shootout.
What can be considered the highlight of the evening saw the YMCA Old Fort Top Form outscoring Saints Snipers 2-0. Warren Williams scored both goals in the first and ninth minutes.
The game was fast-paced, with the skilful young men showing much willpower on both sides.
The Snipers tried to bore the net of their opponent, but brilliant goalkeeping by Kennard Jerrick denied their every attempt. In the end, Saints Snipers settled for the runner-up position, and Shakeem Fausette of Old Fort Top Form was adjudged MVP among his peers.
