Kenya to host World Hockey League Series qualifiers

From left: National Hockey team players Terry Juma, Audrey Amooh, Pauline Amutebi and Anita Agunda duringa a past match. FILE PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Hosts Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and Tanzania will field both men and women`s teams while Egypt will send only their men`s team.
  • Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) chairperson Nashon Randiek said the country is looking forward to the tournament and will work hard to win both the men and women titles.

Kenya will host the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World Hockey League Series One qualifiers for the African region at the City Park Stadium from September 2-7.

A total of five teams have confirmed their participation for the tournament that will also double up as a qualifier for the 2015 World League Championships.

Hosts Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and Tanzania will field both men and women`s teams while Egypt will send only their men`s team.

The tournament was initially set to be held in Zimbabwe, but the southern Africa state declined citing lack of a certified international playing pitch prompting African Hockey Federation (AFHF) to move the venue to Nairobi.

The top men and women teams will qualify for the second round of the qualifiers where they face South Africa, who were given a bye after winning the Africa Cup of Nations last year.

The second round will be held in Uruguay next year and will feature the teams ranked from number 12-19 on the International Hockey Federation (FIH) world ranking. Finalists at the second round earn an automatic entry to the 2016 Olympics set to be held in Rio.

Kenya will fancy its chances of clinching top spot in the regions qualifiers especially with favourites South Africa not featuring in the round one.

Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) chairperson Nashon Randiek said the country is looking forward to the tournament and will work hard to win both the men and women titles.

“We have learnt from the mistakes we made during the Nations Cup last year and we have confidence that we can win the titles at home,” Randiek said.

South Africa’s men and women team dominated the Africa Cup of Nations held In Nairobi last year with the Kenyan teams finishing third.

The winners of round two advance to the semi-finals where they lock horns with the world's best in hockey ranked 1-11 in the world.