Zimbabwe Hockey dealt body blow  x2
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| Africa |
December 5, 2004 
The Zimbabwe Standard
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By Chris Bvunzawabaya
THE International Hockey Federation (FIH) has withdrawn a US$50 000 hockey grant made available to the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe, three years ago.
The sad development follows lack of commitment by the government in playing its part after being requested by the FIH to top-up the grant.
The world body made available the funds to HAZ for repairs to the worn-out astro-turf at Magamba and Khumalo stadiums, as part of its commitment to develop the sport globally.
Breaking the sad news following his trip to the FIH congress in Leipzig, Germany, HAZ president Custom Kachambwa told StandardSport, the international body could not hold on to the grant they made available three years ago any further.
"Unfortunately we have lost the hockey grant with the FIH citing the government's procrastination."
Since the availability of the grant, HAZ had hoped government, through the Sports and Recreation Commission, would commit to refurbishing the two stadiums built prior to the 1995 All-Africa Games.
The latest development has thrown preparations for the Under-21 Junior World Cup into disarray as the astro-turf surfaces have been banned by FIH for any international matches.
HAZ lost a chance to host an international hockey gala two years ago due to the poor state of the turf at both Magamba and Khumalo stadiums.
Kachambwa said a number of countries had expressed interest in coming to Zimbabwe for friendly tours, among them France, who will be touring South Africa next year.
"We are hopeful the turf will be repaired in time as India, Ireland and France who are touring South Africa, had committed to play our side."
Elias Musengeya, the director of the Sports and Recreation Commission said it was unfortunate the FIH ran out of patience. The SRC put in a request to the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture for counterpart funds but the allocation received was inadequate to cover maintenance of the National Sports Stadium and the two hockey stadiums.
Musengeya said they hoped the 2005 budget allocation would provide sufficient funds for new astro-turf surfaces.
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