Team Profile – Wananchi Sports Club

Founded: 1972 Membership: 90 active players most are tertiary students with approximately 20 being young upcoming professionals. Currently developing the WSC patron’s society. Number of Teams: 2 Teams: one men’s team and one women’s team Successes: Men’s Team The men’s team ranked 6th in Africa Cup of Club Championship held in Kampala, Uganda 2014 National Hockey League Champions for the years: 1987-1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Wananchi Open: Weatherhead Open: Esther International Tournament: Independence Cup: 7 Aside tournaments: Uganda Cup: USPA Awards: Etoma Thomas: playing semi professional Hockey in Tanzania with Moshi Kalsa. Opio Thomas: Derick Akuwa: In 2011, played semi-professional hockey in Holland and 2012 played in the South African Hockey league with the University of Johannesburg. The most capped Uganda National Team player. Provided 4 out of 18 of the National Team that represented Uganda in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. Note Field Hockey is the 1st Team Sport in Uganda to participate in the Olympic games. Provided 9 out of 16 of the National Team during the 6th Africa Nations Cup in 2000 Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Provide 11 out of 16 of the 2007 African Olympic qualifiers in Nairobi, Kenya Provide 11 out of 16 of the 2011 national tour to Kenya Women’s Team National Hockey League: Runners up 2013 and 2014 League winners 2015, 2016   Challenges: High expectations of growing fan base to continuously match the best in the region. The increasing number of local and international assignments places a financial strain on both the club and the players. Efforts to address the Challenges: South Africa Trained Coach Albert Onjima has taken over coaching duties. The club has provided support to schools like City High School, Kololo SSS, Kakunguru Memorial School, Kyambogo College School and Naguru High School, which are nurseries for the future. WSC has secured an assortment of training equipment from other well-wishers. WSC has put in place efforts to source funds. Previous Sponsors: Fundi Bao Stanbic Bank Ssemanda Associates Sadolin Paints IBM Computers (Savio Martins) Shell Jinja Road (Lubo Former Treasurer UHA) Infocom Caltex (U) Ltd Crane Bank SDV Transami Multiple Industries Rwenzori Mineral Water For any further information please contact Joshua Opolot, Chairman: 0776526344 or Joachim Wandera, Treasurer: 0701496899

Team Profile – Ghana Police (Women)

The Ghana Police Hockey women’s team was formed by Mr Gorman Ankrah and restructured by Supt. Rtd Twumasi Ankrah during the leadership of C/Inspector Rtd Sakyi of the blessed memory. Under its previous manager, ASP Miss Grace Ankomah and the current Manager Miss Comfort Aduonum, the team have won many local titles and international recognition. They were silver medalists in the 2015 edition of the ACCC in Lusaka Zambia. This is their second appearance in an international tournament. The team is captained by PW / Inspector Rejoice Noi.  

Team Profile – Ghana Police (Men)

The team was formally formed by Mr Gorman Ankrah and reformed in the year 1997 by Supt. Rtd Mr Twumasi Ankrah under the leadership of G/Sgt Eric Adjei Obayah as the head coach and captained by G/Sgt Ackah Francis now the current coach; with manager G/Sgt Harrison Afrifa, the team has won four local titles and the 2016 edition of the ACCC is their first international appearance. The team was formally formed by Mr Gorman Ankrah and reformed in the year 1997 by Supt Rtd Mr Twumasi Ankrah; under the supervision of G/Sgt Eric Adjei Obayah as the head Coach and captained by G/Sgt Ackah Francis, now the current coach for the teams. With manager Sgt Harrison Afrifa, the team has won four local titles and this edition of the African Cup for Club Championship is their first international appearance.

ACCC 2016

Eastern Company Hockey Club off to a Blistering Start

Defending Champions Eastern Company Club of Egypt set the Nairobi City Park Hockey Stadium alight with a crisp display of hockey and a 14-0 thumping of Weatherhead of Uganda. The defending Champions were ruthless from the start of the match and though this was not a major test, they looked strong to defend their crown. In the other men’s match, Niger Flicker of Nigeria succumbed to the force of Ghana Police bowing 2-5. The women’s competition saw defending champions Orange making light work of Kada Queens of Nigeria beating them 5-2. Heartland of Nigeria beat Dar Ladies of Tanzania 2-0 while Ghana Police commenced their search for a first title with a 6-0 thrashing of Wananchi of Uganda. Sharkia women showed how much they have developed over time wresting Sliders of a Kenya to a pulsating 2-2 drawn game. Day 3 will see some interesting matches with an anticipation of a lot of fireworks.

ACCC 2016

ACCC 2016 – No Surprises on Day One as Sharkia Make their Intentions Clear

Record winners of the ACCC men’s category, Sharkia Hockey Club of Egypt announced their intention of reclaiming the crown they lost to compatriots Eastern Company in the last edition held in 2015 with a hard fought 2-0 win over Butali Warriors of Kenya. The very thrilling encounter saw the determined Kenyans giving their opponents a good run for their money, stretching them the entire period of the match. Sharkia were relieved to come out victors while the Worriers live to fight another day. In the other men’s matches, Exchequers of Ghana beat Weatherhead of Uganda 6-2, while Kenya Police made light work of Wananchi of Uganda 4-2. The women’s competition also started on a blistering note with Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) whitewashing Wananchi of Uganda 11-0, while Weatherhead of Uganda bowed 3-6 to Sliders of Kenya. The final match of the day saw Sharkia battling to a 2-2 draw the Kada Queens of Nigeria. Match Day 2 promises to be exciting with the men’s defending champions taking the turf to commence the defense of their crown in a match against Wananchi of Uganda. Women’s defending Champions Telcom Orange of Kenya will also commence the defence of their title in a match against Kada Queens of Nigeria.

ACCC 2016

Excitement in Nairobi as Hockey Africa Cup for Club Champions Get Underway

The City Park Stadium and its surroundings is experiencing a high level of excitement not only for a successful entry into the New Year, but also in anticipation of the staging of the much awaited 2016 Edition of the African Hockey Federation’s (AfHF) prestigious Africa Cup for Club Champions Competition (ACCC). The Competition had to be rescheduled from December 2016 to pave way for a successful men and women’s FIH Junior World Cup Competitions. Nine (9) Men and ten (10) Women’s clubs from six Nations will be vying for the Gamal Shiraz Trophy in what is expected to be a fierce competition. Dominant nation in the Men’s competition, Egypt, will present two men’s clubs, defending Champions Eastern Company and 22-times champions Sharkia Hockey Club. Ghana will present regular entrants and performers Exchequers of Bank of Ghana and League Champions Police Hockey Club. Nigeria will unleash the Flickers from Niger State, Uganda will be represented by Wanachi Club and Weatherhead Club, while Kenyan Police and Butali Warriors will defend the home turf. In the women’s competition, dominant club, Orange of Kenya will bring along fellow country women Sliders Club to battle opposition from rivals Ghana’s GRA and Police Clubs, Nigeria’s dominant force, Heartland Club and debutants Kada Queens, Egypt’s regular participants Sharkia Ladies, Uganda’s Wanachi and Weatherhead Clubs and the Dare Salam Ladies from Tanzania. The Men and Women’s Competitions will be overseen by TDs Walter Imoedemhe of Nigeria and Elizabeth King of Ghana respectively. Nashon Randiek from Kenya will manage the umpires. It promises to be very exciting times in the heart of the Kenyan capital.

AfHF Officials and National Associations Participate in FIH Hockey Academy Management Course

Three officials of the AfHF and some National Associations participated in the FIH Hockey Academy Management Course organized as part of activities lined up for the FIH Congress in Dubai. The two Vice Presidents and the Treasurer actively engaged in the discussions and exercises and brought the African perspective at Continental and Country level to bear on the exchanges that sought to map out strategies to employ in achieving the goals of the FIH Hockey Revolution. The course covered topics such as “Leading the Change” which explored the processes and behaviours required to lead the Hockey Revolution in Continental Federations and National Associations, and “Athlete Pathway” which considered the role of the Athlete Pathway and High Performance Programmes in the Hockey Revolution. The Course was conducted by two renowned Educators Chris Solly, Managing Director at World Academy of Sport (WAoS), Former member of the Olympic Games Knowledge Services and Steve Griffiths, Director of International Federation Programmes at WAoS, Former Head of Organizational Development at World Rugby. André Oliveira, FIH Academy and Education Manager, coordinated the course. In an interaction with the officials of the AfHF on how they intended to utilize the knowledge acquired and networks acquired, they indicated their preparedness to share the knowledge through replicating the training programme and tapping into the networks for the benefit of the Continent and its National Associations.

Africa Poised to Collect Some Major International Hockey Federation (FIH) Awards

The development of hockey on the African continent has evolved gradually and is in position to receive a boost during the 45th FIH Congress to be held in Dubai, UAE during the period November 9-12, 2016. The announcement of the shortlist for all of the Hockey Revolution Awards to be presented during the prestigious event dubbed the “No Limits Ball”, three African Countries, Ghana, Malawi and Sierra Leone, will vie  with five others for the Pablo Negre Award. The Pablo Negre Trophy is presented to a National Association that has made a significant mark either through innovative programmes and initiatives or by embracing the spirit of hockey through exceptional sportsmanship. Africa will also be well represented when it comes to three individual awards. The illustrious awards which recognises and celebrates outstanding commitment and contribution to hockey by an individual are the Order of Merit, the Diploma of Merit and Honorary Member. Other awards to be given out on the night include Guust Lathouwers Memorial Trophy for umpiring, the Theo Ykema Award in recognition of development, the Etienne Glichitch Award for innovation and professionalism, the Super Fair Play Trophy Rene G Frank for exemplary sportsmanship and the HRH Sultan Azlan Shah Award which acknowledges actions and achievements of individuals within both hockey and their professional careers. The AfHF wishes all nominees the very best and the Editorial Team will follow the events closely and report on the outcomes.

FIH Congress to Elect New President

The main highlight of the 45th FIH Congress scheduled for Dubai on November 12, 2016 will be the election of the successor of Leandro Negre who has been at the helm and successfully directing the affairs of the Federation since he was elected in 2008. Three prominent hockey personalities will vie for the single most important position in global hockey. The contestants include the following: Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, a reputable Businessman from India, FIH Executive Board member since 2014, President of Hockey India (HI), Vice President of the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), Associate Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Chairman of the Hockey India League (HIL) and who has been accredited for the rejuvenation of hockey in India over the past five year. Mr. David Balbirnie, a knowledgeable Administrator from Ireland, a former National Team Manager who has been involved in the administration of the Irish, European and the International Hockey Federations with an established reputation as a collaborative decision maker with renowned financial acumen. Mr. Balbirnie served on the Executive Board of the European Hockey Federation (EHF) for a number of years and became its Secretary General. He aims to build stronger relationships with National Associations to ensure collaborative working drives the development of the sport. Mr. Ken Read, a legal practitioner and former Australian national player, Coach and Team Manager, Chair of the Tasmania Hockey Board, FIH Event Portfolio Panel, FIH Event Evaluation Panel and the FIH Competitions Committee, is credited with an extensive experience in the sport acquired over the years. As a lead FIH Technical Delegate for a good number of years, he played a crucial role in developing FIH’s New Event Portfolio which aims at transforming the sport of hockey and strengthen its position through robust governance. An African candidate, Ms. Hazel Kennedy, President of the Zambia Hockey Association; Former Executive Board Member of the African Hockey Federation and the current Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Zambia, will be vying for one of four positions (or five if current Board Member Dr Narinder Batra is elected as President) as Ordinary Members to be elected during the Congress. The AfHF Editorial Board wishes all the candidates the very best in the process and looks forward to working with the winner of the Presidential elections.