Africa Hockey Federation Sanctions Lakers Hockey Club
BLANTRYE, Malawi- The Africa Hockey Federation (AfHF) has taken action against Kisumu Lakers women hockey club due to misconduct during the 25th Edition of Africa Cup of Clubs Championships (ACCC) that was held in Blantrye Malawi between the 18th to 26th November, 2023.
The team fielded ineligible players in the tournament and interrupted the final match between Ghana Revenue Authority and Blazers. Prior to the final match the tournament director had communicated to the team that following investigations they had fielded non-registered players thus led to their disqualification and were not to play in the finals as earlier planned.
Following the AfHF executive board meeting in Malawi in November, 2023 thereafter the tournament to discuss the conduct of Kisumu Lakers women club, the club will suffer the following consequences as from 8th of December, 2023;
1. Financial sanction to Lakers club; a sanction ofEuros 2,000 to be paid to AfHF before end of March, 2024.
2. Total ban from all forms of Hockey (local & international) for 5 years from 8/12/2023 for Lakers Team officials;
a) John Paul Otieno- Team Manager
b) Austin Antony Onyango Tuju – Head Coach
c) Elizabeth Awuor Obong’o – Assistant Coach
d) Robert Oketch – Assistant Team Manager
The above officials face a financial sanction of Euros 1,000 each to be paid before March, 2023 to AfHF
3. Total ban from all forms of Hockey (local & international) for 1 year starting 8/12/2023 for all the players that were on the team sheet during the tournament in Malawi regardless of whether any of them is registered in Lakers club or in any other clubs.
Following the above communication from AfHF Kenya Hockey Union summoned the above parties and transmitted the resolutions and sanctions on the 22nd of December, 2023.
The affected parties are free to lodge their appeals to AfHF through Kenya Hockey Union Executive Board.
The above communication was sent by the AfHF President Seif Ahmed to Kenya Hockey Union President Lt Co. (rtd) Nashon Randiek.