Top Tanzania Hockey Association (THA) officials will represent the country at the 44th International Hockey Federation (FIH) Ordinary Congress in Marrakesh, Morocco.
THA secretary Kaushik Doshi told the ‘Daily News’ in the city while on his way to Morocco yesterday that three officials will attend the six-day Congress which starts on Tuesday.
They are THA Chairman Abraham Sykes, Doshi and national team coach, Italian Valentina Quaranta. “FIH is having its 44th Ordinary Congress in Marrakesh and all hockey playing countries in the world are attending the prestigious meeting at Asni Hotel,” Doshi said.
“It’s very important we participate this time as we missed out on the 2012 Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” he added. Doshi said that while in Marrakesh, the Tanzania delegation will meet and hold discussions with various dignitaries on the development of hockey in the country.
He said that Tanzania expects to benefit from the trip as they are keen on developing the game in the country from the grassroots.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to meet FIH officials and other interested parties and see how they can assist us in running our hockey development programmes,” he said.
Doshi added that Quaranta, who used to be the Italian national team member, will greatly help THA’s mission in Morocco.
He admitted that one of the country’s major problems is lack of modern hockey grounds, facilities to cater for grassroots training programmes and coaches. The meeting is the first for Sykes, who was elected THA boss in Tanga in March, this year.
By MBONILE BURTON, Tanzania Daily News