Tanzania Hockey Association

The thirteenth edition of the Phoenix hockey championship has attracted a total of 14 teams including four from Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.

The Tanzania Hockey Association’s secretary general, Kaushik Doshi, who is based in Tanga, said the event will be staged at Popatlal Secondary School for three days from July 6.

Doshi named the teams which that have confirmed to compete in the annual championship as title holders Moshi Khalsa, Arusha Twigas, Kili Vijana, Moshi Khalsa B, Tanzania Prisons, TPDF, Dar es Salaam Institute, El Hilal, Burhani and Zanzibar Army.

Kenya is expected to field two teams in the event as Police from Nairobi and Mombasa’s Mvita are looking forward to cross the border.

Uganda and Zambia are expected to field one side each in the championship and these happens to be Kampala Hockey Club and Lusaka Tigers respectively.

This year’s entries are bumper record in the tournament’s history as Doshi says preparation is going on smoothly and teams are expected to arrive from July 5.

During the previous edition Moshi Khalsa beat Tanga El Hilal by a lone goal in a thrilling final.

The tournament has been organised by Tanga Region Hockey Association while Phoenix of Tanzania Assurance in conjunction with Lal Insurance Agency are behind the sponsorship.

The tournament has been blessed by Africa Hockey Federation as it harbours international teams.

Doshi declined to say on the fate of the Tanzania hockey premiership that has so far suffered a huge blow for lack of sponsorship.

For the second year running the premiership has stalled with no solution in sight yet to revive the league.