The Oceania Hockey Federation (OHF) has expressed its gratitude over the level of performance of the first ever Solomon Games hockey competition successfully staged in the country.
OHF Continental Development Officer Gill Gemming highlighted this to Star Sports in an interview.
“I am really impressed in the sense of the men and women’s teams who went to a world ranking tournament two weeks ago in Fiji,’’ she said.
“The competition for places for the world ranking was really high and I am really seeing evidence over here.
“The players that went to play at the tournament are showing the skills that they have learnt.”
She also stressed there are lots of potential players in the Solomon Games hockey competition.
“I am also seeing some new players that are playing at a very high level.
“And also when we select the next teams for next year’s tournaments, there will be other players pushing for positions in the national teams,’’ she said.
she also acknowledged the hockey officials and umpires who effectively conducted the 2016 Solomon Games hockey games.
“I am really pleased with the level of performance of local umpires and technical officials,’’ she said.
“They were improving during the duration of the competition,’’ she said.
Gemming also stressed the hockey playing ground that hockey used was fantastic.
“I am really delighted with this playing ground,’’ he said.
“I would also like to congratulate KGVI school principal for allowing their ground to hockey federation in Solomon Islands,’’ he said.
She said now that hockey has its own ground there should be no barriers to hockey.
Gemming added OHF had plans to develop hockey in the country in preparation for upcoming international hockey competition.
By CROFTON UTUKANA
