Kisumu Simba to skip weekend league matches
Kisumu Simba Union captain Kenneth Nyongesa in action during their Hockey League match against Wazalendo on February 16, 2014 at City Stadium. Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) premier league club Kisumu Simba will not honour its weekend matches due to financial constraints even after being drafted to compete. FILE PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The lakeside team is yet to play a league match this season, having boycotted assignments until their appeal against rivals Nairobi Simba as to who were last season’s runners-up was heard and determined.
- However, Kisumu Simba coach Cliff Okello said the club will not honour the two matches because they were not informed about the games in good time.
Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) premier league club Kisumu Simba will not honour its weekend matches due to financial constraints even after being drafted to compete.
The lakeside team is yet to play a league match this season, having boycotted assignments until their appeal against rivals Nairobi Simba as to who were last season’s runners-up was heard and determined.
Two weeks ago, the union ruled in favour of Kisumu Simba and awarded them the season’s runners-up position and a ticket to represent the country in the Africa Club Championship.
According to the league fixtures list, Simba have two matches lined up for the weekend.
On Saturday, they are scheduled to play against league debutants Nakuru Sikh Union in Nakuru before meeting Parkroad on Sunday at the City Park Stadium.
However, Kisumu Simba coach Cliff Okello said the club will not honour the two matches because they were not informed about the games in good time.
“We were given the fixtures on Tuesday but we will not honour them because our sponsor needs one week to provide funds for the team,” Okello said.
UNION PETITIONED
He revealed that the club had already petitioned the union to cancel their matches as they source for funds.
However, KHU chairman Nashon Randiek told Daily Nation Sport they are yet to receive any communication from the club and maintained that the fixtures will go on as planned.
“We have not received any information from them (Kisumu) and as far as I’m concerned the league matches will go on as planned,” Randiek said.
Kisumu Simba are in Pool A which has champions Kenya Police, USIU-A, Greensharks, Nakuru Sikh Union and Parkroad.
Greensharks have already sealed a play-offs berth after playing five matches.
Meanwhile, Police will take on USIU-A in the weekend’s big match. USIU-A are second in Pool A with seven points, one more than Police.
Another big fixture will see women champions Telkom Orange play USIU-A Spartans in a top of the table clash. The two teams top Pool A with six points each and are the only unbeaten teams in the pool.
The team is also set to represent the country along with Kenya Police in next month’s Africa Club Championship set for Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
