Kampala Hockey Club targets top finish at continental championships
KHC will represent Uganda at the continental showpiece for the South African region.
Assistant General Secretary of NCS, Milton Chebet (third from left, front), and Senior Sports Officer Annet Nankya hand over the national flag to Kampala Hockey Club men’s team ahead of their departure for the Africa Hockey Club Championships in Zimbabwe. Photo: Silvano Kibuuka
Kampala Hockey Club (KHC) captain Mpiima has expressed confidence as the team heads to Harare, Zimbabwe, for the Continental Club Hockey Championships, aiming not just for a podium finish but a place in the top two.
Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony at the National Council of Sports (NCS) offices in Lugogo, Mpiima said the side is well prepared for the tournament, which runs from January 24 to 31 at St John’s College in Harare.
“We have had good preparation for this event. We want to go further than the 2023 championships where we won bronze. This time, we are looking at gold or silver,” Mpiima noted.
KHC will represent Uganda at the continental showpiece for the South African region. The delegation includes 16 players and five officials, led by head coach Makthum Muziransa and Chef de Mission Sarah Atugonza. The team is scheduled to fly to Zimbabwe on Thursday aboard Rwanda Air, with arrival expected later in the day.
The tournament begins the same day, with KHC opening their campaign against the School of Environmental Health Hockey Club of Namibia.
The team was officially flagged off by NCS Assistant General Secretary Milton Chebet, accompanied by Senior Sports Officer Annet Nankya. Chebet commended both Kampala Hockey Club and the Uganda Hockey Association (UHA) for their tireless efforts in elevating Uganda’s hockey profile on the continental stage.
He described hockey as a unique and attractive sport, revealing that it remains among the disciplines earmarked for development under the Lugogo Master Plan.
“We are planning to build a world-class hockey ground at Lugogo to replace the existing facility,” Chebet said.
Chebet also hinted at the possibility of increased government funding for sports, particularly when national teams perform well in major international competitions. He reminded the players to uphold the values of sportsmanship, respect, commitment, dedication, and fair play, while challenging them to return with a medal.
UHA president Phillip Wafula praised KHC for their consistency, noting that the club has represented Uganda at the continental championships for three consecutive editions without interruption. He challenged the team to improve on their previous performance and surpass the bronze medal finish achieved in 2023.