adminBukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe hockey team will take part in this year’s Africa Hockey Cup of Nations tournament in Durban, South Africa after the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe confirmed its participation yesterday. Zimbabwe had excused itself from the initial tournament that was set for Egypt citing financial challenges as they felt that the travel and accommodation costs were going to be hard on their pockets.
The major continental showcase, which will also double up as the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifier, was moved from Ismailia, Egypt to neighbouring South Africa last month by the Africa Hockey Federation (AFHF) due to logistical problems and the Federation had set today as the deadline for confirmation.
The tourney was scheduled to run from October 17-25 in the North African country but was moved to Durban South Africa and the AFHF is yet to announce the new dates.
In an interview, Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) vice president Humphrey Chigwedere said they decided to reverse their decision of boycotting the tournament after the AFHF decided to move the event from Egypt to neighbouring South Africa which is nearer.
“We’ve made a turn around on our decision to boycott the Championships after the tournament had been moved to South Africa. It was a bit too much for us to go down to Egypt as it’s far from us and the costs were going to hit us hard.
“I’m glad that they’re now going to be held just next to us and that means we’ll cut down on a lot of costs,” he said.
Last year in November, Zimbabwe successfully hosted the Africa Cup of Club Championships at Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo where 19 teams from Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa took part.
Zimbabwe was represented by Eradicators and Scorpions from Harare province, Hippo Valley (Masvingo) and Bulawayo Athletic Club with Orange from Kenya winning the tournament.
Online Reporter