The Guyana Hockey Board is actively searching for a suitable location to install an artificial turf for the sport, a necessity for international competitions.
Travis Seymour provides an update on the situation, shedding light on the challenges and discussions with the Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.
Since the 1990s, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has mandated artificial surfaces for all international competitions.
Guyana’s senior hockey team achieved success on grass turf, winning bronze in the Caribbean Championships at Bourda in 1989.
However, the absence of an artificial surface has impacted competitiveness.
President of the Hockey Board, Philip Fernandes, reminisced about Guyana’s golden victory at the Caribbean Championship in March 1992 on grass turf.
However, later that year, playing on an artificial surface against the same opponents, Guyana finished last.
The lack of an artificial surface has hampered the country’s competitive edge.
Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr addressed the ongoing challenge, stating that finding a suitable location and assessing costs are major factors.
While discussions have taken place, a suitable location has not been identified. Ramson emphasized that the issue remains a priority and requires investment.
Despite the challenges, Guyana has achieved fourth-place finishes at the PANAM and Central American and Caribbean (CAC) games.
Fernandes acknowledged that the teams are overreaching and overachieving, given they train and play domestic matches on grass.
As of July last year, Guyana was ranked 90th globally in hockey, highlighting the need for an artificial surface to enhance competitiveness.
The quest for a suitable location continues, with the hope of securing the necessary infrastructure for the sport.