This year’s Mapinduzi Hockey Cup tournament will miss defending champion Moshi Khalsa. The prestigious tournament, also known as the national club championship, is set for March 20-22 at the Lugalo Barracks Ground in Dar es Salaam.
Organised by the Dar es Salaam Regional Hockey Association (DRHA) in collaboration with the Tanzania Hockey Association (THA), the annual event also serves to identify talent and promoting the game in the country.
“The Mapinduzi Cup will also kick off this year’s hockey calendar,” THA Secretary Kaushik Doshi told the ‘Daily News’ from Tanga.
“We’ll stage the Mapinduzi Hockey Cup at Lugalo Ground later this month and preparations are going on well. The teams are currently busy preparing themselves,” he added.
He, however, stated that Moshi Khalsa will not defend their title because they have other commitments. “Five teams have so far confirmed their participation, but we’ll greatly miss reigning champions Moshi Khalsa, who have opted out,” Doshi said.
He named the teams as last year’s finalist Dar Khalsa, Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), Magereza, newcomers University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and Tanzania Ladies.
Apart from Moshi Khalsa, Dar Institute, El-Hilal, Arusha Tiger, Ngome and Zanzibar Highlanders may also miss the event. Doshi said this year edition is sponsored by two Dar es Salaam-based firms – Reliance Insurance Company and R.K.
Trucking Co. “Tanzania Hockey Association appreciates efforts shown by these two companies for sponsoring the prestigious Mapinduzi Hockey tournament,” he said.
Moshi Khalsa won the national title last year after beating Dar Khalsa 3-0 in the final.
Captain Ambrith Singh Bhamra registered the opener in the first half before Frank Musima and Pradman Somaiha netted one each in the second to seal the score.