Uganda Club Championships  x4
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| UHA |
April 15, 2001 
Uganda Hockey Association
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The third annual edition of the Uganda Club Championships started today with 4 entries in the Men's event (after one pulled out at the last moment), and 3 entries in the Ladies. The number of entrants in the Ladies event was a suprise to some, as the newest Club in Uganda Kampala Ladies fielded 2 teams.
Kampala Ladies have managed to expand rapidly thanks to the FIH Year of the Youth. Last year they were the forerunner of the "Adopt a School" programme and managed to form one team with the majority from City High School. This year they have approached Police Children's School, one of the schools in the Mini Hockey League, and persuaded the school to join with them in allowing the Primary School Girls to play as part of their club.
Kampala Ladies entered their 1st team as Kampala Ladies Classified, and their 2nd team (formed from mainly Police Childrens's School, as Kampala Ladies Precious. The results of the precious team have stunned Uganda Hockey. Although they lost to their older counterparts 5-1, they managed to hold the previous;t dominant Weatherhead Ladies until the last 5 minutes, before going doesn 1-0. This was the first time the girls from Police Childrens School had played on a full sized pitch.
After their narrow 1-0 win against KL Precious, Weatherhead Ladies seemed to be in a state of shock. Having seen KL Precious hold KL Classified to a goalless first half, they had been very critical of KL Classified. When it came to their turn against the youngsters, whatever they seemed to do, and whichever line of attack they chose, seemed to be thwarted. The narrow 1-0 win was an omen of things to come.
1 hour after playing KL Precious, Weatherhead Ladies lined up against the big guns of KL Classified. This was a grudge match. After all the comments thrown at KL Classified earlier in the day, and the fact that KL had never beaten Weatherhead, the daily training by KL finally paid off against Weatherhead Ladies, with a very convincing 2-0 victory to KL Classified.
The 2nd round on Saturday is nicely setup. All the teams can still qualify for the Final, and all the teams can still not qualify.
In the men's event, Sadolin Rockets lead the Pool Table after 2 wins - thereby guaranteeing them a place in Saturday's Final. One of these wins was a convincing 6-0 trouncing of newcomers MUBS, the other a lucky 1-0 win via a Penalty Stoke, over reigning Club Champions Wanainchi.
It wasn't Wanainchi's day today. Although they played the better hockey for the most part of their 2 matches, the lost, as mentioned above to Sadolin Rockets, and couldn't get the ball in the net in an exciting 0-0 draw with Weatherhead Men, the 1999 Champions.
Weatherhead Men were unconvincing today, and should have lost to Wanainchi, and were lucky to come out of the match with a point. Against MUBS, although they played well in short bursts, managing to score 2 in scrappy play in the circle, they were put under a lot of pressure by newcomers MUBS, and were extremely lucky to keep a clean sheet. A horrendous error by the Weatherhead Goalkeeper was not punished by the inexperienced MUBS strikers with the score at 1-0. This is hockey, these things happen.
Newcomers MUBS - Makerere University Business School, although losing both their games today, were never downhearted, and are enjoying the experience.
An excellent version of "Who let the dogs out, MUBS, MUBS, MUBS MUBS" was heard regularly during the day. With a great attitude and their astounding fitness level, it can only be a matter of time before they are in contention for the prizes. As the only team with a "home ground" that is not at the National Stadium, they keenly await the National League which starts in May.
With Sadolin Rockets already qualifying for the final, for the first time in this event, the other finalist will be fought our between Weatherhead and Wanainachi. As we don't have any fat ladies here, I guess it will only be when the fat Muzungu sings, will the result be known, and who will be crowned the Uganda Club Champions 2001!
The Uganda Hockey Association
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