Cash-strapped Blazers latest to pull out of African event
Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women’s premier league champions Blazers will use their setback of missing the 2019 Africa Hockey Club Championships as a motivating factor for the coming season.
The 22-time (then Telkom) on Sunday became the latest Kenyan side to pull out of the annual extravaganza owing to financial constraints.
The 10-time continental champions beat Ghana Revenue Authority 2-0 for the title last year in Nigeria.
Blazers coach Jos Openda said it is a psychological blow to the ladies given the torrid season they have had including losing their long-term sponsors Telkom.
Big blow
“Obviously, it is a big blow to the team. The ladies have worked hard enough from their most challenging season yet. It could have been better to go and defend their title,” Openda talked to the championships that kicks off on December 1-8 in Egypt.
“They will have to cope with the fact that without a sponsor, the trip is not going to be possible. Unfortunate as it is, they have to work even harder to attract other sponsors for next season,” he added.
Men’s champions Butali Sugar Warriors, Kenya Police and Strathmore University’s Scorpions are the other Kenyan clubs who had pulled out of the championships slatted for Ismailia.
