KHU IN TROUBLE: National hockey teams boycott training ahead of 2016 Rio Olympic Games qualifiers

SPORTS; HOCKEY-BRIAN MUSASIA
Kenya National team player Brian Musasia when they played Egypt during the World League round one at Citypark, Nairobi. ON 06/09/14 PHOTO : JENIPHER WACHIE

With less than two-and-a-half months remaining before this year’s Africa hockey cup of nations cup Rio 2016 Olympic qualifiers, the men and women’s national teams are yet to begin preparations.

The players kept away from national team training owing to unpaid allowances from previous national assignments. Africa Hockey Federation (AFHF) released the dates of the continental biennial event as 17-25 October and Ismailia, Egypt as hosts.

The Government, through the Sports ministry, had earlier on promised to pay the  players’ allowances by mid July and indeed paid part of the money at the weekend.

The squad of 18 players, who represented the country in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) world league two in Uruguay in February this year, were each paid Sh21,160 as part of the international allowances.

world league

Four players, who were dropped from the team, were paid Sh15,000 local allowances for their participation in the World Hockey League One series in September last year. The men’s team of 18 players, who failed to advance to the second round of the World League which also served as an Olympic qualifying event, was paid Sh15,000 each.

However, even after being paid part of their allowances, the players are still adamant they will not commit to the national team until their allowances are paid in full.

National women’s team captain Betsy Ommalla said the team’s position remains the same and will remain so until their balances are cleared.

“I’m glad we have been paid the Uruguay (World League Two series) money which we should have been paid on completion of the assignment, however we are not ready to commit ourselves to any other tasks,” Ommalla told FeverPitch on phone during an interview, yesterday.

quitting duty

Omalla continued that the ill treatment they have been receiving as hockey players has made most of them contemplate quitting national duty.

Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) chairman Nashon Randiek confirmed that the women’s team had been paid their allowances for the Uruguay duty because that is what the Government had released.

“It is true that we still owe the women’s team, we only paid them the money given to us by the government.”

Randiek, however added that national team training will begin on Thursday (today) whether the players honour their call-up or not.

“We will have national teams for the continental championship training begin today (Thursday). Even if the current team stays away we must have a team.”

This is the only remaining chance that Kenya has to qualify for next year’s Rio Olympics, after they failed to take advantage of the first opportunity presented to them through the FIH World League series.

Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Tundo revs off first as Ruto flags off Safari
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Speed, fun and drink as Safari Rally action takes over 'Vasha'
Football
Kenya's Talanta Hela U19 boys win Costa Daurada Cup in Spain
By Mose Sammy 6 hrs ago
Golf
Fundraiser tourney head to Kisii course