Former hockey stars to play for Chase Sailors

Kenya Poilce Francis Esikuri hits the ball with ball as Ghana Trustee player Mathew Damalie tries to blocks during the African Cup Club Championship in Lugongo Kampala. Kenya won 2-0. ON 16/01/14 PHOTO:JENIPHER WACHIE

Several Kenyan internationals have come together to form a new hockey outfit - the Chase Sailors.

Sponsored by Chase Bank, the Sailors hope to dominate the country's hockey.

Already, the team has been drafted in the national league, according to its captain Collins Asimba.

Asimba is one of the top internationals who have jumped ship from their former clubs and joined the Sailors who have been training at the Parklands Sports Club.

Other internationals are George Mutira and Francis Teka, who were with Nairobi Simba and Kenya Police respectively. Asimba formerly played for Butali Warriors.

Asimba said, "This is an opportunity for me to continue building my career in the sport. This is a young team with great ambition."

Sailors' primary focus will be to provide the opportunity to learn and play field hockey for young school leavers who may not have an avenue to continue with the game after school.

"The experienced members of the team will regularly organise training sessions for the amateurs to achieve the team's growth and to promote the sport.

"We want to do things differently. We will participate and organise friendly games. We will also take part in any competitive tournament and other social events organised to encourage more members interaction off the playing field," he said.

Also joining Sailors include David Otieno formerly with Parkroad, Nixon Amani from Butali, and Titus Ngolia who joins in from Wazalendo. The team is coached by former Kenya international Zack Aura.