The Igloo Hockey Festival, held from August 30th to September 1st, has been hailed a major success by Phillip Fernandes, President of the Guyana Hockey Board and Head Coach of the GCC Hockey Team.
Despite facing challenges such as adverse weather conditions and limited infrastructure, the festival provided a valuable platform for both junior and senior athletes to hone their skills.
Fernandes acknowledged that while the small size of the artificial turf at the Bourda Cricket Ground presented some difficulties, it did not detract from the quality of play.
He noted that the festival was instrumental in preparing teams for the upcoming indoor season and fostering healthy competition among participants.
The tournament featured matches across various categories, including U14, U17, U21, and senior male and female divisions.
In the senior men’s category, Saints emerged victorious after defeating Pepsi Hikers 6-3 in the final.
The women’s final was a thrilling contest, with Saints clinching the title over Rebels in a sudden-death penalty shootout, winning 3-2.
In the U21 finals, Old Fort Young Boys secured a 3-1 victory against Saints Conquerors, with goals from Shaquon Favourite, Nkosi Saul, and Yannick Norton.
The festival’s success highlights the growing enthusiasm and talent within Guyana’s hockey community, setting the stage for an exciting indoor season ahead.