With two weeks remaining before the national ladies hockey team head to Nairobi, Kenya for the African Cup of Nations Hockey Championship slated to kick off from November 18- 27 this year, the team has yet to secure sponsorship.
The team returned home and resume an off-camp at the Karume Memorial Stadium in Dar es Salaam immediately after the Westgate terrorist attack in Nairobi, which put on hold their dream of making a maiden appearance in the event in September.
Assistant national coach Mnonda Magani told the ‘Sunday News’ in Dar es Salaam yesterday that all players are in good shape and that the preparation for the same is on top gear.
“We are operating on a shoestring budget to carry on with the camp, certainly, we’re yet to secure sponsorship for the Nairobi trip,” he said.
However, Magani said that they are still optimistic that Tanzanians will come forward to support them so as to have smooth trip and tournament in Nairobi.
“We appeal to the government, local and international companies, institutions and sports well-wishers to assist us,” he appealed.
Africa Hockey Federation was forced to call off the continental championships scheduled to start last September 26-October 5 this year, following a deadly terrorist attack at Westgate shopping centre in the Kenyan capital were at least 65 people were killed and hundreds others injured.
The Tanzania ladies team was already in Nairobi ready for the tournament when the attack occurred. Instead, the team opted to play three build up matches with Kenyan national and local teams to test the ladies mettle before returning home.
Tanzania team went Nairobi thanks to the support from SBC Tanzania Ltd through its brand Pepsi, Italian Non Governmental Organisation— Cooperazione Paesi Emergenti (COPE), Tulime Onlus, Italy Hockey Federation, Lion Club Savona – as well as individual Italian players Quaranta Italian friends and well-wishers from Italy.
By MBONILE BURTON, Tanzania Daily News
