The Tanzania Hockey Association (THA) is busy looking for high profile international trials for the national ladies team against top African teams, possibly South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
The trials are aimed at building up the team which is currently preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Nairobi, Kenya later this year.
THA Secretary Kaushik Doshi told the ‘Daily News’ from Tanga that they are so far certain of fielding only the ladies team thanks to the support of the Italy Hockey Federation, coach Valentina Quaranta, friends and well-wishers from Italy and Tanzania. He said the Africa Hockey Federation has accepted their late entry despite the expiry of the April 30 deadline.
“The national ladies hockey side is confirmed to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations and in order to fare well in the championship they need international trials against top African teams,” Doshi said.
“We’re trying our best to arrange trials against good teams like South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Kenya before the tournament kicks off on September 26,” he added.
The national ladies team is made up of 14 players — Flora Nyama, Hawa Musa, Salome Thomas, Mary Muhina, KidawaSeleman, Joyce Eusabius, Eva Elias, Leah Chane, Margaret Eliud, WinfredaGowele, Ashibae Mohamed, Mariam Zawadi, EudiaMkuchu and Alice Ongoro.
They are expected to travel to Mombasa, Kenya this month for a series of trial matches. Doshi said arrangements are being made for the team to tour Mombasa from August 15 for friendly matches against Kenya and Mombasa ladies golf clubs.
“We’re still talking with our Kenyan counterparts on the possibility of having at least three trial matches in Mombasa during the tour,” he said. He added that the Mombasa trip is important as the hosts have modern artificial grass grounds that will be used during the Nairobi event.
This will be the first maiden appearance for the ladies side to the tournament and they have all the reasons to perform better in it according to Doshi. Tanzania is also expected to field the men’s team in the championship but Doshi conceded that they have not yet secured sponsorship for the team.
By MBONILE BURTON, Tanzania Daily News