Heavy rains put City Park on the spotlight again

Coaches took turns to slam the state of City Park turf after heavy rains forced the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Premier League clash between Parklands and USIU to be abandoned in the second half.

Sunday’s event came a fortnight after two men’s KHU league matches were rescheduled for similar reasons where heavy downpour that rendered the pitch unplayable.

Parklands coach Victor Bogonko and his USIU counterpart Wilson Otieno urged the Government to act and salvage the situation, continuing calls seeking the construction of alternatives to save the overused and facility.

“The turf is in shambolic state. It is worn off and is completely unable to drain water away once it starts raining. It’s unfortunate for the union because talent will surely go to waste.

“I understand it is a second hand turf it was used before in another country before it was imported here. In some parts of the turf there’s no grass left and so it’s just patches of bare ground; this is a great injury risk for the players.

“The union should get a new turf that has underground drainage to avoid water from clogging,” Bogonko lamented.

Otieno emphasised the is need for urgent renovations on the pitch. Otieno who doubles up as the KCAU tactician led his USIU team to hammering Parklands 2-1.He believes that they will have a high finish though the league is competitive.

The two goals from USIU were scored during the second half while Parklands scored one goal two weeks ago during the first half.