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Africa

By: ANNE NJAMBI

The Kenya Hockey Union has released the provisional men's and women's squads for the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in South Africa from October 1 to 10. The men's squad, coached by veteran Avtar Singh, has 47 players while Mike Omondi has called up 35 players to the women's squad. The teams are training for a return to the premier event after a long hiatus.

The men's team, especially, bore the brunt of a broke KHU by missing international competition for several years. The team's trip to Egypt for the annual Akbar El Yom tournament was called off in the last minute last year after it became imminent that KHU, then led by Hardev Singh, could not afford the trip.

The last time the men's team played an international match was in 1999 at the All African Games in Johannesburg. In 2003, the team was among the unlucky disciplines on whom the axe fell due to a constrained government budget for the pan-African games in Abuja. These frustrations have seen the team's fortunes dwindle with nations like Egypt and South Africa, previously playing second fiddle to Kenya, now ruling the continent's game.

The veteran Kenyan internationals have to compete with an emerging batch of under-21s. University of Nairobi goalkeeper David Abuom is certainly sending shivers down the spines of the six veteran goalkeepers who have been called up. The veterans are Ajay Dosaja (Simba Union), Mike Abuya (NAC), James Owiti (Wazalendo), Chris Tsyamba (Mombasa Institute), Ali Azura (Green Sharks) and Vincent Odhiambo (Park Road). KHU secretary general, Peter Kiruma, said the Africa tournament will give the game a new lease of life.

The men's team will be contesting for a World Cup place. The World Cup will be played in Madrid in September. The women's team will also be out to capture a possible place in next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Regulars Susan Odongo, Josephine "Papry" Ataro, Mary Mbulo, Jackline Ogot, Betty Tioni (Telkom), Terry Masibo and Angeline Nyangasi (Blue Eaglets) have been called up.

Men's squad:

Goalkeepers: Ajay Dosaja (Simba Union), Mike Abuya (NAC), James Owiti (Wazalendo), Chris Tsyamba (Mombasa Inst.), David Abuom (UoN), Ali Asura (Gren Sharks), Vincent Odhiambo (Park Road);

Full backs: Saidi Okwemba, Meshack Senge (Armed Forces), Benson Soimo, Steven KImase (Kenya Police), Cyrus Kanyi, David Omwaka (Park Road), Elvis Okware (NAC), John Kabuu (USIU).Half Backs: Godfrey Wakachunga (Karate Axiom), Castro Kaluna, Haggai Sikhila, Fidellis Okello (Strathmore), Richard Birir, Nelson Ochieng (NAC); Daniel Moi, Ezra Onyango (Gymkhana); Rogers Ayuya (UoN), Kennedy Osikuku (Kenya Police), Micah Mitoko, Lawrence Odhiambo (JKUAT), Maurice Kevogo, Goldstein Mambiri (Wazalendo);

Fowards: Zack Aura, William Oketch, Dennis Owoka, John Okoth(Armed Forces), Moses Cheplaite, Vincent Otieno (Kenya Police), Ajit Pal Lall (Karate), Tom Olal (Park Road), Kenneth Alumasa, Gary Jean Louis, Dominnic Imbwaga( NAC), Harpinderpal Mankoo, Inderjit Matharu (Simba Union), James Mwangi (Wazaleno), Harpeet Channa (PSC), Jamlick Simiyu (UoN).

Women's squad:

Goalkeepers: Susan Odongo, Josephine Ataro (Telkom), Catherine Opicha (Eaglets), Brenda Wangila (MSC), Jane Kimari (Sliders);

Full backs: Terry Juma (Blue Eaglets), Caroline Akoth (Vikings), Cecilia Wamakonjio (MSC), Doreen Anzra (Telkom).

Half backs: Doreen Baraza, Lillian Nafula, Anegile Nyangasi (Eaglets), Andrey Oblangata (Vikings), Evelyn Juma (MSC), Mary Mbulo (Telkom), Esther Washika, Caroline Ngesa, Alice Taabu (Sliders), Maryline Mbula, Alice Jepchirchir, Alcock Atieno, Henricka Amokha (Armed Forces), Nomalizo Omondi, Donna Ingumba (USIU), Dorris Kirui, Ada Wasike (Impala);

Forwards: Jackline Ogot, Betty Tioni (Telkom), Hannah Mwaura, Pristine Njeri, Glennis Namasaka, Doris Amata (Blue Eaglets), Annete Musambi (Sliders), Anne Njambi (Impala), Agnes Jepkemboi (Armed Forces), Margaret Wangare, Beatrice Mukami (Vikings), Irene Muthoni (USIU), Esther Mwikali (MSC).

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