Kenya's participation in African Nations Cup Championship in limbo as teams are yet to fly out

The Kenyan national women's hockey team is likely to give a walkover in their opening African Nations Cup Championship tie against Zambia set for Monday at the Theodosia Okoh Stadium, Ghana after failing to fly out on Saturday as scheduled earlier.

The Kenya Hockey Union had planned to send both the men's and women's team on Saturday but were forced to shelve their plans after the Sports Fund board reportedly failed to convene a meeting and approve the budget. 

According to the Union's president Nashon Randiek, the two teams are still stuck in Nairobi after their request to the Fund's board to avail Ksh 26 million for the tournament was not approved on time.

The women's team that is commonly known as Tausi is therefore staring at the possibility of failing to honor its opening pool B match against Zambia unless the African Hockey Federation (AHF) saves them the embarrassment by rescheduling the match in line with the request made by (KHU).

Randiek while revealing the latest and sorry development from City Park said he opted to petition the continental body to move the fixture back even as he hopes that the Sports Fund will approve their budget on Monday.

Will there be light at the end of the Hockey tunnel?

"I am disappointed that the two teams are still in Nairobi yet the tournament is supposed to start on Monday. We had hopes of flying out last Saturday but the board did not have a meeting on Friday as communicated earlier. I am informed that they will deliberate on our request on Monday and hopefully, they will avail the funds. In the meantime, we have asked the continental body to consider pushing the ladies' opening match back, " he said.

The union has been under sharp criticism for failing to breathe life to their stalled activities over the last two years with a section of the stakeholders calling for the two teams who have been gearing up for the tournament for months to dodge it citing ill preparations. 

Tausi who are set to play Ghana on Tuesday and later wrap their group stage matches with a clash against Nigeria.

The men's side, Chui who are under the tutelage of Fidelis Kimanzi are placed on pool A with defending champions South Africa and Namibia.