Havana, April 9 (JIT)-- The Ciego de Avila team won its 16th national men's field field hockey championship crown today.

The hosts of the event defeated their fierce opponents from Santiago de Cuba 2-1 in front of fans who enjoyed the performance of the locals.

"It was a film similar to that of the 2023 championship, with more spectacle, in a close match," Lázaro Oliva, national field hockey commissioner, told JIT from the headquarters.

Among those filled with happiness was the technical director of the ¨Volcán Avileño¨, Eliberto Sarduy, who was always confident in the success of his pupils.

In the 2023 duel, already on the synthetic field of the land of the pineapple, the multi-champions defeated the indomitable 4-1.

This time both teams played wonderfully, but the more experienced team showed grit and technique to win the title. In addition to the avileños and santiagueros, the camagüeyanos climbed the podium.

The honor roll of the competition was made up by Leodisbel Cervantes, from Agramontino, as the most outstanding player, the most technical player was Oscar Calderon, from Santiago de Cuba, and the king of combativeness was Richard Somonte Salas, from the home team.

The best goalkeeper award went to Moisés Torres Puig, from Las Tunas; leading scorer Carlos Manuel Consuegra Jardines with 15 goals, the ace of referees Raúl Peña, from Villa Clara, and the king of coaches, Eliberto Sarduy Gómez, from Avila.