National youth Service men’s hockey team have been struck off the Kenya Hockey Union national league after failing to honour matches.
KHU chairman, Nashon Randiek said failure by any team to play three matches automatically locks that team out of the league.
NYS played their last match in October and are yet to feature in the ongoing second leg, a development which Randiek says has left the Union with no choice but to show the team the door.
“The union’s rules and regulations are clear. Any team that fails to honour three matches and therefore awarding their opponents a walk over will definitely be shown the door. NYS are therefore a case in point,” said the official.
Reached for comment, an NYS official who did not wish to be identified, regretted the development, but was quick to reveal financial constraints had left the team helpless.
The team is currently bottom in group “B”.
The official said, “The team played a few matches in the first leg, but until now, the players are yet to resume training and it remains to be seen whether or not the team will play in the rest of the season,” said the official.
He added, “Our hands are tied. The players lack playing kit, allowances and a training field. We used to partner with Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) to train at their field in previous years but we are yet to resume training as the government is yet to pay for the services.”
The official however, appealed to the government to reconsider facilitating the team saying the move will help tap young talent.
“We hope the government will reconsider facilitating the team. We are ready to start from scratch since the players are ready and willing to return to the field.” the official said.