Jamaican Hockey on a New Track

The Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) has received funding to replace the turf at its Mona Hockey Field, says President Leon Mitchell.

The Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) has received funding to replace the turf at its Mona Hockey Field, says President Leon Mitchell.

The Sports Development Foundation (SDF) has provided grant funding to assist in the J$20 million project, Mr. Mitchell said. The turf replacement project at the national hockey centre, under consideration for years, is expected to be completed by June.

“This financial support is of great assistance towards our plans to replace the existing turf,” he declared. A turf manufacturer from Argentina has been identified and they will carry out the installation over eight weeks.

The grant does not cover the full cost of the new turf, so shortfall will be raised with the help of corporate advertising and sponsorship of key events, as well as donations, he said. “I feel confident that we will reach our target.”

“Development of hockey in Jamaica has been slowed by the poor surface at Mona,” he pointed out. “the current turf is over 15 year and is worn out.”

Hockey was popular and successful up to the 1990s, but Jamaican teams now have difficulty competing internationally, because the surface they train on is inferior to the ones on which they compete. Additionally, top level international tournaments cannot be hosted on the existing Mona turf.

“This Grant Support has re-energized the Federation and the plans for 2014 are well under way,” the JHF President stated. Those plans include the hosting of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League Round one tournament slated for July 2014.

“We also aim to host and play in warm-up games at Mona on the new turf in preparation for the Central American and Caribbean Games, scheduled for November 2014,” he stated.  “These events have been planned to prepare the teams for the Pan Am Challenge scheduled for June 2015.”

“Discussions have taken place with the FIH President over the last few weeks regarding the turf project and our plans to enter teams in the up and coming tournaments,” he said. “Our intention is to make sure that we get their support in reaching our objectives for 2014 and 2015.”