The sugarmen are likely to finish third in the Africa Cup for Club Champions tournament
National hockey champions Butali Warriors have tasted international action in the Africa Cup for Club Champions tournament that is slated to conclude on Sunday in Nairobi. The Butali Sugar Mills powered team, secured the license to participate in the tournament by virtue of being the men’s league champions.
They stand to finish third in the tournament if they manage to whip Nigeria’s Police Machine in the playoff, scheduled for Sunday at Sikh Union.
More international action could be on the pipeline for Butali in the future as the management is exploring the possibility of playing friendly matches in countries whose leagues are ranked higher than the Kenyan one.
The club’s President Sanjay Patel revealed that the management, was interested in sending the team to South Africa and other countries for friendly matches that, will certainly help them gauge themselves against the continent’s crede de la creme.
“We have big plans for the team including playing friendly matches outside the country. We are looking at countries whose leagues are stronger than ours, This, will help the players gain more experience,” he said.
The club, that is under the tutelage of former Kenyan international Zack Aura has been enjoying sponsorship from the sugar company since 2014.
Besides securing friendly matches with the best teams in the continent, the club boss disclosed that the idea of having a women’s team was also on the table. Patel revealed that three unnamed teams had approached his office hoping to strike a deal but nothing had materialized as of yet.
“It is an option we are also exploring. Three clubs had tabled proposals but we are yet to agree on anything,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Patel,petitioned the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba to channel more finances and support towards the game.
Source: mozzartsports.co.ke | February 18, 2023
