Guyana’s Under-21 boys’ and girls’ hockey teams are in intensive training for the 2025 Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Junior Challenge in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The tournament, which runs from 8 to 16 March, qualifies participants for the Junior Pan American Games in Asuncion, Paraguay, later in the year.
The girls’ competition features a single pool. Guyana, hosts Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico are all vying for a place at the Pan American Games.
Guyana’s campaign begins on 6 March against Guatemala, a team they have never faced before. Despite Guatemala being unranked, Guyana, currently ranked 36th in the world, will be wary of an upset.
Their second match sees them face a tough test against Mexico, ranked 40th, before they take on Puerto Rico, Barbados, and finally, Trinidad & Tobago.
Barbados, the highest-ranked team in the tournament at 33rd in the world, are expected to be a significant challenge.
The boys’ tournament follows a similar single-pool format, with Guyana, Brazil, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, and Venezuela all competing.
Like the girls, the Guyanese boys open their tournament against Guatemala, followed by matches against Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, Brazil, and hosts Barbados.
The final squads for both the boys’ and girls’ teams are expected to be announced by Sunday, 9 February.
Training continues at the GCC ground, Bourda, during the week, and at the Providence stadium at weekends.
