A group of Cayman hockey players is hoping to ‘turn some heads’ when they take on some of the world’s best sides in a top competition.
On Saturday, the 23 players, two coaches and manager Basil Durzi jet to Pittsburgh to take part for the first time in the World Ball Hockey Championships.
Cayman’s invitation to take part comes after two consecutive annual Caribbean Cup tournaments, in which local players impressed the world body with their skills.
A total of 16 countries will participate in the world championships. The game is similar to ice hockey, but without the ice, and uses a ball instead of a puck.
Cayman team manager Mr. Durzi says the game is in its infancy in terms of organisation on a world level, but the hope is it will eventually become an Olympic sport.
Cayman has a flourish-ing six-team league with about 100 players.
The Cayman Hurricanes have a tough opening schedule, taking on Mexico, Portugal and Austria in the space of three days, and possibly opening later confrontations with some of the game’s big boys such as Canada and the USA.
Mr. Durzi is optimistic about the team’s chances: ‘I think we will be successful in our first three games and I think we will turn some heads,’ he says.
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