Relief as court reinstates 20 clubs to the 2025 hockey season
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 26.04.25. | 14:32
Despite promptly submitting their applications and receiving acknowledgment from the Registrar, several clubs were initially excluded from the 2025 fixtures released by the Union
Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) has reinstated 20 clubs into the 2025 season leagues following a landmark ruling by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) on Thursday, 10 April, bringing a dramatic close to a standoff that had threatened to shake the domestic hockey structure.
The reinstatement comes after the Tribunal, chaired by the acting SDT chair Njeri Onyango, ordered the Union to restore all clubs previously excluded from the 2025 calendar for alleged non-compliance with Sports Registrar requirements.
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Among the teams reinstated into the various leagues are Blue Pirates, Rift Pirates Men, and Rift Pirates Women, the three lead claimants who successfully challenged KHU’s decision at the Tribunal.
Others include Parkroad Tigers, Nakuru Hockey Club, Nakuru Ladies, Black Tigress, Black Tigers, Black Tigress, Thika Rovers, Kirinyaga Knights, Kitale Hockey Club, Nandi Hawks, Bungoma Farmers, Bay Club, Oyugis Hockey Club, Fire Flickers, DFG Wolverines, Snipper Hockey Club (Makueni), Maasai Mara, Karate Axiom, and Impala.
The SDT's orders emphasised that clubs that had already submitted acknowledgement letters from the Sports Registrar should be allowed to compete, while giving an extension for others to regularise their status before the start of the second leg of the season.
"This decision restores the hopes of many teams that had been unfairly sidelined through administrative actions beyond their control," said Raphael Omalla, advocate for the claimants.
The dispute stemmed from a controversial February directive by KHU requiring all clubs to obtain full registration certificates within a tight two-day window—a move the affected clubs termed unfair, unreasonable, and malicious.
Despite promptly submitting their applications and receiving acknowledgement from the Registrar, several clubs were initially excluded from the 2025 fixtures released by the Union.
In its ruling, the Tribunal noted that while compliance with the Sports Act is essential, administrative bottlenecks beyond a club’s control should not bar participation based on sporting merit.
The SDT allowed KHU to reorganise the fixtures to accommodate the reinstated clubs, emphasising that all clubs must achieve full registration before the commencement of the league's second leg or face disqualification.
The updated 2025 season now features the return of key teams across the Super League Men and Women, as well as the men's Leagues (Central, Eastern, and Western Zones).
The next mention to confirm compliance has been scheduled for Tuesday, 10 June 2025.
