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KHU League set for April 12 kick off amid team shortages

Western Jaguars

Western Jaguars players celebrate their win against Kenya Police in the Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League  on February 18, 2024 at City Park Stadium.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

By  Agnes Makhandia

Sports Reporter

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • The affected teams are Impala Club, Karate Axiom, Rift Pirates, Masai Mara, Thika Rovers, Kitale Hockey Club, Bay Club, Nandi Hockey Club, Blue Pirates, Bungoma Farmers, Black Tigress, and Oyugis Hockey Club.
  • Despite the setbacks, KHU remains firm on its stance regarding compliance and is optimistic about the upcoming season.

The rescheduled 2025 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) League season will commence on April 12, with fewer teams set to compete in the National Men’s League after failing to register with the Sport Registrar within the stipulated timeframe.

Originally set to begin on March 1, the league was delayed as many teams had yet to complete their registration with the Sports Registrar.

This prompted the union to extend the deadline to March 15, allowing teams in the three tiers—Premier, Super, and National—additional time to comply.

Related

KHU president Nashon Randiek confirmed that after the extended registration window closed, the union had to organise fixtures around the teams that adhered to the Sports Act 2013.

“It’s unfortunate that we will have fewer teams, especially in the lower tier, but this move reinforces our commitment to ensuring teams follow the Sports Registrar's directives.

We have been lenient in previous seasons, but not anymore. All the Premier League men’s (10) and women’s (10) teams have registered, while in the Super League, only five teams out of 25 failed to register. It’s all good, and we are ready for the league to start,” said Randiek on Monday.

With City Park Hockey Stadium still under renovation, Randiek added that teams would have to secure alternative venues for their home matches.

Notably, several teams from the Super League will not be part of the competition this season. These include Nakuru Hockey Club (men), Dutch Flower Group Wolverines (relegated from the Premier League), Rift Pirates, Nakuru Ladies, and Black Tigress (women).

In the National League, which is divided into the Eastern and Western Zones, only 16 teams will participate after 12 teams were dropped due to non-compliance.

The affected teams are Impala Club, Karate Axiom, Rift Pirates, Masai Mara, Thika Rovers, Kitale Hockey Club, Bay Club, Nandi Hockey Club, Blue Pirates, Bungoma Farmers, Black Tigress, and Oyugis Hockey Club.

Despite the setbacks, KHU remains firm on its stance regarding compliance and is optimistic about the upcoming season.