This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
July 10, 2020
Kenya's Nyanza Region hockey giants, Kisumu Day and Sinyolo Girls High School, are facing an uncertain future after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the Term One schools programme.
The programme had already started at the sub-county and county levels before the pandemic brought everything to a halt.
Coaches Booker Odhiambo of Kisumu Day and Aloice Owino of Sinyolo Girls expressed disappointment and worry over the fate of their teams.
"When the year started, we had set a target of advancing to the East Africa games. The boys were in excellent form especially after registering stellar performances during the already played sub-county and county competitions," Odhiambo said.
However, Odhiambo still believes the break from now to next year might help his team, as he has built a new team comprising First and Second Formers who will be more mature and experienced by the time they resume play next year.
On the other hand, Sinyolo Girls coach Owino said the girls are demoralised and worried after being let down again for the third time in their pursuit to return to the top.
"This was to be the year we come out of the cold after three years out. We had a dream which was going according to plan but the pandemic destroyed everything. The girls are worried about the new rules which might lock them out of play too," Owino said.
