Visa hitch grounds Kenya Hockey teams to Egypt

Kenya men and women's teams to the inaugural African Hockey5s World Cup Qualifier in Ismailia, Egypt are yet to leave the country a day to the games kick-off due to visa complications.

In a statement yesterday, the Kenya Hockey Union, KHU indicated that the men's team was to travel that evening, however, the teams are still in the country.

The women's side on the other hand were not sure of making the trip as they awaited government support.

"Due to the generosity of friends and well-wishers, only the men's team (who are departing this evening) could be sent by the Union; the women's team is still awaiting word from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and the Arts, which is anticipated later today," KHU said in a statement posted on their Facebook page.

Yet, despite the women' s team getting the government backing, the two sides are still stranded in the country.

" It is a visa issue," KHU General Secretary Wycliffe Ongori said. " We are waiting for a letter from the Egyptian immigration office that will enable them to board a flight to Egypt," he said.

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With the prospect of getting the immigration letter today, a rest day in Egypt, nil, Wycliffe said that they will engage the organizers of the tournament to consider rescheduling their games.

"The earliest the teams can leave now is Saturday. We are trying to plead with the organizers if they can reschedule our fixtures, but the most important thing now is to get the immigration letter," he added.

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The women's team are set to face South Africa, Namibia and hosts Egypt in a round robin format with the first two teams qualifying for the inaugural 2024 Hockey5s World Cup set for Muscat, Oman.

The men's side on the other hand will have South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Zambia to contend with for a ticket to the global event. Both teams have two fixtures each on match day one on Saturday.