Domestic and Environmental Cleaning Solutions Ltd. managing director, Sheldon Beckford (left), presents a sponsorship cheque to Richard Shaw (Jamaica Hockey Federation), to help cover expenses of the national teams that will participate in the first West Indies Cup Hockey Tournament, that is being staged in Trinidad and Tobago. Both the national men's and women's senior teams left yesterday for the championship that runs from November 7-11. - Contributed

Jamaica's men's and women's hockey teams departed yesterday for Trinidad and Tobago, where they will take part in this year's Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Caribbean Cup, which is set to begin tomorrow.

The PAHF Caribbean Cup is a ranked event for the English-speaking countries in the region and was developed to improve the visibility and competitiveness of hockey in the West Indies.

Participating countries will be able gain points to improve their overall ranking and expectations are that this tournament will be an annual one, with Jamaica slated to host the first renewal at the Mona Astro Turf next year.

The tournament is also being used to seed teams in tournaments and to determine which ones will participate in a competition when there is over subscription.

Jamaica and Guyana's men's teams presently have no points and so do not appear on the table of ranked nations. Both were not included in the last Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games.

The women's team is ranked 57th, while Barbados are at number 30 and Trinidad and Tobago 31.

Both Jamaican outfits will open their schedule against Trinidad and Tobago in opening day action tomorrow.

The teams

Women: Captain Nicole Grant, Dadreann Clarke (vice-captain), Kayona Mullings, Alicia Francis, Andrea Cobran, Monique Williams, Kamiesha Erskine, Patrice Clarke, Sharee Russell, Chantel Russell, Krystal Reid, Shana-Kay Tullonge, Shackera Williams, Vanissa Glenn, Flaveya Morgan and Ingrid Banton. Coaches: Christine Bartley and Leonardo Martinez.

Men: The male team is headed by manager Nicholas Brown and coach Leonardo Martinez. The squad is: captain Marlon Martin, Sheldon Brown, Orville McTaggart, Yandeen Wheatley, George McGlashen, Odien Williams, David East, Richard Brown, Lorenzo Burke, Kishawn Smith, Jerome Davis, Leon Kerr, Brian Brodber, Nicholas Beach, Evol Powell, Ian Green, Marlon Jackson (Trinidad based) and Odien Williams.