Plans are already in the making to ensure that next year’s Banks Barbados International Hockey Festival is of a high standard.
So said president of the Barbados Hockey Federation (BHF), David Rouse, as he responded to an article in the September 6 edition of the MIDWEEK NATION which criticized aspects of this year’s tournament.
Speaking to SUNSPORT yesterday, Rouse, who is also the chairman of the festival committee, said that although they were several disappointments, some of the issues which were raised were beyond the control of the BHF.
In reference to the outfield at Weymouth which reportedly looked as if it had not been cut, Rouse said that the grass had been cut but acknowledged he was also disappointed with the height at which it was cut.
“The grass was cut and marked by a landscaper who is also involved in hockey on the Friday . . . three days before the scheduled start of the competition,” he pointed out.
“On viewing the grass after it was completed, I was a bit shocked at the height at which it had been left, but with cricket being played on the ground the Sunday before the start of the competition, there was little that we could have done.”
Rouse said that with expressions of interest having been made in both cutting and marking the fields for next year’s festival, a similar happening was highly unlikely.
He maintained that even with the expected availability of an artificial turf next year, all of the matches could not be played there, hence there was a need for other grounds to be in ‘tip-top condition.’
Additionally, he suggested Kensington Oval, which was used to stage the semi-finals and finals, could see a lot more matches.
In relation to the issue of umpires, Rouse said the federation was looking to enforce a rule in the 2014 competition, where every team would have to provide a referee.
But he explained the shortage of umpires was due to a lack of sponsorship.
“Sourcing umpires was an area of concern for us this year. Usually the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) would sponsor umpires from Trinidad and England to come here and officiate,” he stated.
“This year though, funding was approved quite late and we could not give the go-ahead to those umpires.”
With ten international teams so far having expressed interest in taking part in the festival next year, Rouse said discussions were set to take place over the setup of a festival village.
This, he said, would help to create an ideal atmosphere while helping to strengthen the bonds between local and international teams.