ACCC: Debutants Lakers Hockey Club continues to impress

    Kisumu Lakers were awarded a walkover win on Tuesday after Nigerian side Kada Queens failed to show up for the tournament. Lakers Hockey Club have impressed in the opening matches of the ongoing Africa Cup for Club Champions (ACCC)  Nairobi. In three games, the Kisumu-based side have manged two wins, including a walkover and a draw. Lakers opener was against multiple Kenyan champions Blazers whom they managed to hold to a 1-1 draw.  Blazers pipped Lakers to number two spot in last season’s Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Women’s Premier League. Nigerian side Kada Queens did not make the trip to Nairobi, handing Lakers a walkover in their second fixture. To prove their worth, the Austin Tuju-coached side recorded an impressive 2-0 win over Ghanaian opponents Army Ladies. Despite the good showing on the pitch, the team is still not settled financially, and are appealing for support from corporates and well wishers. “We pleaded with the organisers to allow us participate and honor our fixtures as we look for money to pay for match expenses,” Lakers Team Manager John Paul Otieno told Mozzart Sport. According to a communication from the KHU before the start of the tournament, clubs had to pay a participation fee of Ksh 40,000, daily accommodation for two; an umpire and a judge at Ksh13,456, and their daily allowance of Ksh 3,738. “It’s not been easy, but girls have showed great determination to make history. If we can give them something as a token of appreciation, I know they can be more motivated to do even better. My appeal is to the corporate world and well wishers to stand with us and the ladies.” Lakers are participating in the continental championship for the very first time. The team has only featured in the Kenyan league for two seasons.   Source: mozzartsports.co.ke | February 16, 2023

    ACCC: Lakers and Strathmore drop points in Thursday’s action

      Lakers have a total of 7 points in four games It wasn’t a kind day for the Kenya women hockey sides taking part in the Africa Cup for Club Champions as they both failed to secure victories in the two games played at the City Park grounds on Thursday.   Reigning Kenya women’s league champions Strathmore University opened proceedings with a 1-1 draw against Ghanaian side Army Ladies, leaving the former fifth on the standings with 4 points. Army Ladies took the lead shortly after halftime through Charity Akoto before Diana Awino leveled matters through a 59th minute penalty corner. Disappointed with the result, Strathmore head coach and recipient of the SJAK coach of the month (January) Meshack Senge was impressed by the team’s notable improvement from Wednesday’s game against the Blazers and by their mental strength and brilliant mentality. In the afternoon game held at the same venue, Kenyan side Lakers suffered their first defeat of the tournament – losing 4-1 to GRA Ladies of Ghana. Lakers, winners of two games this week, led early on through a Eusyla Cherotich field goal before GRA Ladies skipper Elizabeth Opoku restored parity from a penalty corner within the next seven minutes of the first period. Vivian Narkour made it 2-1 for GRA as the teams headed to the halftime break. Two goals from Mercy Ackon and Narkour after the break were enough to hand GRA Ladies their first win of the competition. “Maybe we overlooked our opponents,” Lakers coach Austine Tuju said after the game. “They [GRA Ladies] haven’t had the best of performances in the previous matches, but today they were a completely different side and they deserved to win. We are still in the contention for the title.” Still on seven points after four matches, Lakers next take on Strathmore University on Saturday morning with the latter lining up against Nigeria’s Delta Queens on Friday. The other fixture today involving Blazers and Kada Queens was canceled and three points awarded to the Kenyan side following the Nigerian side no-show in the championships.   Source: mozzartsport.co.ke | February 16, 2023

      Lakers disarm Ghana Army in ACCC tourney

        Lakers, who are debuting at the annual competition, were a class act and dictated the game from the second quarter to the end. In Summary • The win saw the Austin Tuju-coached Lakers top the log with seven points, a point better off than second-placed Army. • Elsewhere, Nigeria’s Police Machine silenced Zimbabwe’s Hippo 4-2. Henry Olanyinka scored a hattrick for Machine in the third, 16th and 47th minutes respectively. Alice Owiti and Aurelia Opondo scored for Lakers as the Kenyans beat Army Ladies of Ghana 2-0 at the ongoing African Club Championships at the City Park Stadium on Wednesday. Lakers, who are debuting at the annual competition, were a class act and dictated the game from the second quarter to the end. Owiti and Opondo scored in the 15th and 42nd minutes respectively to give the Kisumu-based side their second win in the week-long competition. The win saw the Austin Tuju-coached Lakers top the log with seven points, a point better off than second-placed Army. In the men’s category, Ghana Revenue Authority beat Moshi Khalsa from Tanzania 10-1. The trio of Courage Boyefio, Ernest Opoku and Godsway Adae all grabbed braces. Luke Kofi, Joshua Kwaku, Assah Akwasio and Christopher Dogbe managed one goal apiece. James Paulo scored a consolation for Moshi. Elsewhere, Nigeria’s Police Machine silenced Zimbabwe’s Hippo 4-2. Henry Olanyinka scored a hattrick for Machine in the third, 16th and 47th minutes respectively. Sunday Orinya also got himself on the scoresheet in the 43rd minute. Gift Chomunorwa and Tatenda Kanyangarara found the back of the net for Hippo.   Source:star.co.ke | February 15, 2023

        South African Hockey declines invitation to the FIH Pro League

          February 15, 2023 Following the South African Hockey Men’s victory at the FIH Nations Cup in Potchefstroom the team had earned a spot in the FIH Pro League subject to specific financial obligations being met by the January deadline and as a result we could not accept our place in this competition. Since the beginning of 2022, the South African Hockey Association secured funding to pay for the Men’s Pro League, the Aslan Shah Cup in Malaysia, the Men and Women Nations Cups as well as both Men and Women World Cup events. We won the Men’s Nations Cup at the beginning of December and the due date for submission to the FIH was on 16 January 2023. With the short timelines, our ability to communicate effectively was compromised. The South African Hockey Association is immensely proud of the strides that our national Hockey teams are making and we are simultaneously disappointed that we could not secure a sponsor to support the positive progress of our men’s program by having our team play in the pro league 23/24 with those short timelines. As a National Federation our annual revenue is less than the amount required to fulfil the minimum financial requirement by the FIH for entry into the pro league (Approximately R10 million). However, discussions will be held with the team as we continue working to give them the best opportunity to maintain their positive trend. We hope that results of our teams as well as the results at the recent indoor world cup will open the eyes of corporate South Africa to the opportunity of supporting the efforts of our national teams. As the South African Hockey Association, we have 8 national teams to take care of with limited funding, hence players having to pay for certain events and preparation for events.

          Movements in the indoor world rankings after the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2023

            14 February 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland: The FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup South Africa 2023 came to a conclusion earlier this week as Austria men won a second world cup title in a row, while Netherlands women won their third title, equalling Germany’s record for most indoor hockey world championships in the women’s competition. There were plenty of surprises throughout the world cup as the unpredictable nature of indoor hockey shone through, which have led to shake-up in the indoor hockey world rankings. In the men’s world rankings Austria (2450) retain the top spot in the rankings building on the 2018 world cup victory by winning a second straight title and building a big lead on the second place, which is occupied by Netherlands (1700), who were silver medalists at the recently concluded World Cup. Iran (1650) won their second straight bronze medal at the world cups and sit just 50 points behind Netherlands in third place. Belgium (1550) who narrowly missed out on the semi-finals spot in the World Cup stay 4th in the world rankings overtaking Czech Republic (1388) who finished in the 9th position that drops them from the 4th spot that they held before the start for the World Cup. United States (982) two previous campaigns at the world cup had both ended in 11th place finishes, but they were fantastic in the 2023 edition finishing fourth and climbing up eleven spots to the 8th place in the world rankings. South Africa (1188) who lost to Netherlands in an entertaining quarterfinal contest, climbed four places to 7th in world ranking. Argentina (900) who finished 7th in their debut World Cup are also big gainers moving from their pre-tournament rank of 20th all the way up to 10th. New Zealand (300) who were unranked before the event made their debut at the world cup and make their first appearance on the world rankings in 23rd place. To see the complete men’s FIH Indoor Hockey World Rankings, please click here. In the women’s world rankings Netherlands (2350) who won their third indoor hockey world title leapfrog Germany who pulled out of the World Cup to claim the top spot in the rankings. Austria (1525) registered their best ever finish at the world cups claiming the silver medal and moved up three places to 4th in the world. Czech Republic (1813) claimed their second bronze medal at the world cups and moved up to 2nd in world ranking, ahead of Ukraine (1750) who retained their 3rd position in the world rankings. South Africa (1210) had a stellar tournament narrowly missing out on the podium, but the fourth-place finish in the World Cup was enough to lift them up eight spots from 14th to 6th in the world rankings, ahead of Belgium (1188) in 7th who moved up six spots. The young USA (1075) team made a splash in the World Cup and move up four spots to 8th in the world. Canada (903) qualified for the quarterfinals in the world cups for the first time in their history and move up five spots to 11th in the world rankings. New Zealand (350) who were unranked before the event made their debut at the world cup and make their first appearance on the world rankings in 21st place. To see the complete women’s FIH Indoor Hockey World Rankings, please click here. For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please consult FIH.hockey, follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and download the Watch.Hockey app.

            Ireland to join FIH Hockey Pro League, replacing South Africa

              14 February 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland: After a thorough analysis, the South African Hockey Association has decided not to join the FIH Hockey Men’s Pro League for the next season, despite having qualified for it, thanks to winning the inaugural FIH Hockey Nations Cup played on its own soil, in Potchefstroom, last year. However, the South African Hockey Association has confirmed its firm intention to join the League – ‘Hockey at its Best’ – in the future, provided their teams, women or men, qualify for it on the field of play, of course. Consequently, the runners-up of the Nations Cup, Ireland, have been invited by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to join the FIH Hockey Pro League in 2023-24, and the “Green Machine” – Ireland’s men’s team nickname – have accepted to do so. Commenting on the announcement, Hockey Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy said : “This announcement comes at a very exciting time for Hockey Ireland as we look to grow participation in the game and compete at the highest level on the international stage. The fact that our Senior Men are now competing in World Hockey’s Pro League against eight top Hockey teams from around the world is a testament to all the hard work to date. It’s a very busy year ahead for the team and the EuroHockey Championships in Abbotstown in July will be the perfect opportunity for fans to come along and watch them in full international action.” Mark Tumilty, Ireland Men’s Head Coach can’t wait to get started in the FIH Hockey Pro League: “We are delighted this has come about. It’s a big opportunity for us and for men’s hockey in Ireland. It’s a massive challenge for us but I’ve said many times before that for Ireland to move forward in world hockey we need to be playing competitive games against the top nations. To have to chance now to play sixteen games against the top countries in the world gives us that opportunity to develop. It’s what we need and it’s a big carrot for the players.” “The SA Hockey Association (SAHA) is extremely saddened by the fact that they will not be attending the FIH Hockey Pro League season (2023-2024) despite us qualifying at the inaugural Men’s Nations Cup. The magnificent progress in our team performance is a direct result of our participation in the previous Pro League season. As a federation we will forever be grateful for the opportunity afforded to us to participate at that level. It will be sorely missed especially as it would have assisted our team with their preparation for Paris 2024. We wish Hockey Ireland and all the other teams all the very best for the FIH Hockey Pro League season (2023-2024)”, SAHA interim CEO Shaune Baaitjies commented. “Whilst we will miss South Africa in the next season, we know that the South African Hockey Association firmly intends to join the FIH Hockey Pro League as soon as possible. Therefore, this is just a matter of time. Meanwhile, we’re absolutely delighted to welcome the Irish men’s team and we can’t wait to see them perform in the League next season!”, FIH CEO Thierry Weil said. The upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League season (2023-24) will be the first one applying the “promotion and relegation” principle. In concrete terms, the winners of the inaugural FIH Hockey Nations Cup played in 2022 (India for women, South Africa – now replaced by Ireland – for men) have been promoted. Both teams will take the place of the teams relegated (one women’s team and one men’s team) at the end of the current season. Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In territories where broadcast rights agreements are not in place, fans can watch live match action from the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app. #FIHProLeague #HockeyInvites #HockeyEquals