Uganda to field four at hockey event
May 13, 2009
UGANDA will field four clubs in the East Africa hockey championships that start on Saturday at Lugogo.
By David Namunyala
UGANDA will field four clubs in the East Africa hockey championships that start on Saturday at Lugogo.
The week-long tournament will see Wanainchi, Simba Union and Kampala Club from Uganda battling in the men’s category while Weatherhead will take part in the women’s event.
Men’s defending champions United States University and ladies winners Eglex are among the three clubs expected from Kenya. Tanzania will enter a single club, the Armed Forces, according to Joshua Opolot, the local federation publicity secretary.
“ All games will be played during the day because we don’t have floodlights and yet we want to save time,†Opolot explained.
* Wanainchi over the weekend pipped Weatherhead 2-1 in a national league game at Lugogo.
In the other game, Simba Union earned a walkover and three points against Kampala Club who showed up late.
* Uganda has to provide adequate facilities at the Lugogo pitch if the country is to host the Intercontinental Hockey Club Championships in November.
Although the international body, IFH, last month confirmed Kampala as hosts after inspecting the Lugogo pitch and concluding was in good condition, the new development might cause a snag in the local federation’s ambitions to host the international event.
IHF now insists the Lugogo venue must have floodlights, dressing rooms and toilets which it lacks at the moment.
Local federation secretary Emmanuel Ewachi said they were in the process of sourcing funds to fulfill the requirements.
“We can’t stand to lose this opportunity but if our first option fails, then we shall go in for option B like renting the Lugogo Indoor Stadium,†Ewachi said.
UGANDA will field four clubs in the East Africa hockey championships that start on Saturday at Lugogo.
The week-long tournament will see Wanainchi, Simba Union and Kampala Club from Uganda battling in the men’s category while Weatherhead will take part in the women’s event.
Men’s defending champions United States University and ladies winners Eglex are among the three clubs expected from Kenya. Tanzania will enter a single club, the Armed Forces, according to Joshua Opolot, the local federation publicity secretary.
“ All games will be played during the day because we don’t have floodlights and yet we want to save time,†Opolot explained.
* Wanainchi over the weekend pipped Weatherhead 2-1 in a national league game at Lugogo.
In the other game, Simba Union earned a walkover and three points against Kampala Club who showed up late.
* Uganda has to provide adequate facilities at the Lugogo pitch if the country is to host the Intercontinental Hockey Club Championships in November.
Although the international body, IFH, last month confirmed Kampala as hosts after inspecting the Lugogo pitch and concluding was in good condition, the new development might cause a snag in the local federation’s ambitions to host the international event.
IHF now insists the Lugogo venue must have floodlights, dressing rooms and toilets which it lacks at the moment.
Local federation secretary Emmanuel Ewachi said they were in the process of sourcing funds to fulfill the requirements.
“We can’t stand to lose this opportunity but if our first option fails, then we shall go in for option B like renting the Lugogo Indoor Stadium,†Ewachi said.