Kenya Women's Hockey team to Egypt stranded over lack of funds

Kenya women's 5 a side hockey team is racing against time to secure government funding for a trip to Ismailia, Egypt for the World Cup qualifiers starting on Saturday 10th December.

The team of ten was scheduled to leave for Egypt this morning, but they have since been told to wait until 4PM to know their fate.

"We have been upbeat about this trip until this morning when we were informed that the government is yet to give money for air tickets, and so we have to wait until 4PM to see what happens. We're so heartbroken," an anonymous source within the camp told Mozzart Sport.

Meanwhile, their male counterparts are assured of making the trip as Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) will foot all their expenses.

Kenya fall in the quarter finals despite improved show on Day Two

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.

Kenya are scheduled to play two games on match day one against Zambia and Egypt.

"We have a very good chance of qualifying going by the teams we're going to face, I just hope that we don't miss this opportunity," the source added.

Earlier this year, the senior women's hockey team arrived in Accra, Ghana late on match day for their opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations against Zambia, and were forced to give a walkover.

Both the male and female teams failed to depart for the West Nation in time as the Sports Fund board had not approved their budget and the women's team missed their opening fixture against Zambia.