This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
On November 24, 2019, Kenya's hockey union faced a potential crisis after the late withdrawal of defending champions Blazers from the Africa Cup of Club Championship in Ismailia, Egypt.
Blazers, who were the only remaining Kenya representatives at the 10-day event, pulled out due to financial constraints, leaving the union vulnerable to sanctions from the African Federation Hockey (AFH).
According to Kenya Hockey Union chairman Nashon Randiek, the union is waiting for communication from the AFH, but fears that they may be penalized and forced to part with some money.
"The sanction is imminent," Randiek said. "After all, we are all aware that participating clubs are given a window of a month to withdraw from the event. But failure by Blazers to pull out well ahead of time leaves the Union at an awkward place and vulnerable," he added.
This would be the second time the union is facing such a predicament, having been penalized in 2013 after failing to send the junior sides to the World Championship in Namibia.
On that occasion, the union paid 2000 Euros (Sh226,000) to the African body.
"It's becoming a routine for many local clubs not to honour the club championship and it's not sitting well with us," Randiek said. "While we are aware they may be facing financial constraints, I think in future they should start making friendly budgets to their respective sponsors and make proper logistics once they know their at the conclusion of the Premier League," he added.
Blazers were not the only team to withdraw from the event, as Strathmore University, champions Butali Sugar Warriors, and Kenya Police also pulled out due to financial constraints.
The top two teams at the completion of the Premier League earn automatic tickets to the Club Championship.
