Diamond Mineral Water Hockey tournament in jeopardy due to COVID-19

The Guyana Hockey Board’s (GHB) more than a decade long tradition of hosting its annual Diamond Mineral Water International hockey tournament may be in jeopardy due to the ongoing global pandemic.

The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID – 19) forced the hiatus of live sports earlier this year. However, some international leagues have resumed in carefully designed environments but for local and lower-level associations like the hockey board, replicating the “bubble” like set-up may not be a feasible reality.

Nevertheless, Philip Fernandes, president of the board said that he is keen to keep the wheels turning if that possibility presents itself.

“There is still so much that is uncertain but we are looking to see how this pandemic is going to play out,” Fernandes said.

He added: “…but we are prepared on very short notice to put plans in action to have those tournaments.”

Aside from the widely reported damning effects of the deadly disease, which is spread through human interaction, the availability of the host venue – the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) –is another major hindrance.

In April of this year, the national COVID-19 Task Force announced that the CASH was selected as one of the facilities to quarantine and treat COVID-19 patients.

“The tournament will hinge greatly on the availability of facilities because as you know the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall has been converted to a COVID – 19 centre so if that remains [in place], we wouldn’t be able to have the tournament this year and understandably so… of course if COVID remains a major threat to people’s safety it wouldn’t be wise to go ahead either way,” Fernandes said.

The flagship tournament is usually contested in three divisions – men’s, women’s and veterans’ categories. Last year, several teams from Trinidad and Tobago attended.

Prior to that, the hockey board was able to attract teams from Canada and the USA.

Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) out of the Twin-Island Republic are the male defending champions after they got past arch-rivals Pepsi Hikers 4-3 on penalties after the game had ended 3-3 at the final whistle.

The 2019 women’s title was also secured by the islanders following George United’s 5-4 win over locals GBTI GCC Tigers.

The Trinidadians completed the sweep by virtue of QPCC copping the Over-35 Division 11-8 over Bounty GCC Vintage.