By Ben Ahenda
Chances of Nakuru Athletic Simba featuring in the Hockey Premier League next year are slim following withdrawal of the sponsor, Andrew Jean Louis.
He cited lack of support as his main reason for pulling out. However, he said he would continue supporting the club only if other stakeholders could chip in.
"We cannot keep on relying on an individual. The club management must find committed sponsors to fund the team if we are to come in again," he said.
Nakuru Simba players led by full back Lawrence Macharia told FeverPitch yesterday they feared they would be forced out of the league due to financial problems.
Macharia appealed to well wishers to come to their assistance as most players were students drawn from Menengai, Koelel and Afraha High and Nakuru Day Secondary schools.
Keep Reading
- Ways parents can help children set New Year resolutions
- How to parent purposefully this year
- Why structure is your child's greatest security
- Art of parenting highly sensitive children
He said they had even approached civic leaders at Nakuru Municipal Council with no success. The players appealed to Nakuru Town Member of Parliament Lee Kinyanjui for assistance.
The team finished at the bottom of the eight-team league. Coach Anthony Egesa said they were not out of the league but were seeking financial support for next season. Egesa said they had been forced to relocate from their training venue, Nakuru Athletic Club, which also served as their home ground, to Menengai High School.
"We pay rent to train and play at Nakuru Athletic Club. Since there are no funds and we are determined to feature in the league next season, we must cut down on costs," he said.
The club spends between Sh30,000 and Sh40,000 on players to honour an away league fixture.