Camacho: Build hockey don’t destroy it

TRINIDAD and Tobago Olympic Committee president Douglas Camacho called on  members of the hockey fraternity to build the sport, not try to destroy it. He criticised those who sit on the sideline and bad-talk the sport rather than make more meaningful contributions to its development. “It is no good sitting on the outside and pelt stones when things don’t go a particular way. Build hockey, don’t destroy it,” said Camacho. Camacho was  delivering the feature address at Saturday night’s Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board (TTHB) Awards Ceremony 2004 at the VIP Lounge, Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.

He told the gathering they lived in a nation where good institutions are built, but were broken down due to personality conflicts. An ardent hockey player, Camacho, said the responsibility for hockey is not solely in the hands of the board, but that of everyone involved. He said hockey is and has been one of the better organised sport in this country, but its development was being compromised for expediency. Camacho said members of the fraternity needed to stop whipping themselves and look at what the sport has done for the national community. He then turned his attention to the area of sponsorship and said the corporate community should be lining up to be associated with the game, but lamented that would not happen until the people involved start singing the positives.  

Camacho said: “We put a board in place to organise and co-ordinate so players could play the sport they love at the levels of masters, championships or reserve. “The rest of it depends on our attitude. If we want hockey to succeed and if we want to play it we must change our attitude. It is not about aptitude, but attitude.” He said next year was an off season and provided the precise opportunity for the TTHB to focus on the development of the younger players, as well as prepare and plan for events over the next four years.

Carib Magnolia took home the award as Women Championship League Team of the Year, while their star player Stacy Sui Butt, was named Player of the Year, with the most goals scores at that level. Paragon swept the under-19 league title in both boys and girls categories, while their Kristin Thompson and Kiel Murray scored most goals. In reserve league action, Pinehill Paradise took top honours among the women, while Stag Malvern were the men winners. Charlene Williams of Pinehill Paradise netted most goals in league play, while Luke Govia of Queen’s Park scored most goals among the men. Kwandwane Browne of Notre Dame was the Male Player of the Year, while Petal Derry was named Most Outstanding Goal Keeper.