Ghana Hockey teams face financial difficulties ahead of Nations Cup

The male and female senior national hockey teams, the Black Sticks are set to leave Ghana on Saturday September 28 for the Hockey Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya but without funds.

Eight countries were initially billed for the one week tournament but Namibia and Nigeria have had to pull out due to funding. Ghana may join the two sides who have pulled out for the same reasons as the black Sticks are yet to raise the GHc 150,000 they need for the competition which begins on October 1.

Meanwhile head Coach of the male team, Winfred Sackey tells JOY Sports “We will not relent in their efforts to source for funding after government’s failure to fund us.

We have been preparing for this tournament since March so we will do all it takes to get to Kenya. We have turned to a few companies for sponsorship.

We hope some positive results will come out soon.” The coach also appealed to corporate Ghana even though it is on a short notice, to help sponsor the two teams for the competition.” He added.

The black sticks have been in camp since March this year and are hoping to reach the ultimate and also qualify for next year’s world cup in the Netherlands.