Mombasa to host national 5-a-side tournament today

Butali Sugar's Captain Constant Wakihura and Endurance Ngozi (left) of Police Mahine of Ghana during Africa Cup For Club Champions at Dashmesh Hockey Stadium, Sikh Union.  [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Nairobi’s Parklands and Sikh Union are some of the teams that will play in the Mombasa national five-sided hockey tournament.

The two day tournament starts today at the Serani grounds. The final will be played tomorrow.

In the absence of the defending champions and the 2023 national men league champions, Kenya Police, the battle for the title is wide open.

Mombasa County Hockey Association Chairman Oliver Max said 12 teams will fight for the honours where the winner will walk away Sh50,000 richer with the runner-up pocketing Sh30,000.

Max said Kenya Police will miss the chance to defend the title they won last year with a new champion expected to be crowned tomorrow.

In April, Police overcame compatriots Western Jaguars 3-2 in the national league final match played at  Sikh Union Club, Nairobi.

Simah Diaspora open the tournament at 9am with a match against Marines.

The highlight of the day will be a match putting Sikh Union and Wazalendo that is expected to be a thriller.

Simah Diaspora, Mvita XI, Deep State PNU, Parklands, Air force Blues and Marines are in group A while Group B has Changamwe Finest Under-20, Black Nights, Sikh Union, Wazalendo, Maldivians and Technical University Mombasa.