KHU mull changes to improve hockey standards

The Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) will cut the number of men’s teams down to 10 and increase that of women to eight beginning next season in key Premier League changes.

The KHU Secretary Moses Majiwa said the drastic measures are part of a wider plan to raise hockey standards in the country by increasing the level of competitiveness in the top flight.

It would follow in last year’s trend where the number of men’s teams was reduced from 15 to the current 12 when the KHU first implemented its draft plan.

“We have 12 teams currently and our objective is to make the league as competitive as possible. The plan is to drop three teams in the premier league and promote only one from the Super League,” Majiwa said.

The three clubs in the relegation zone are Western Jaguars who are at the bottom with only 11 points in 15 matches, Parkroad Badgers who are second last with 14 points. Parklands Sports Club are third from the bottom with 14 points but have conceded fewer goals than Badgers.

Nakuru risks getting sucked into the relegation zone, sitting just a point above the danger area with seven matches to spare.

The top two teams have each tasted defeat only once thus far with 2015 champions Butali Warriors topping the standings on 42 points from 15 rounds, followed by defending champions Kenya Police who are on 39 points but have a game in hand.

Chase Sailors are likely to earn promotion from second-tier as they lead with 32 points, five clear of second-placed Technical University.

The KHU will apply a reverse promotion/relegation method for the women’s league, demoting the team that will finish bottom of the Premier League and replacing it with two from the second division.

This procedure will be repeated annually until there are 10 teams in the top flight which currently harbours only seven clubs.

“There are challenges in the women leagues because there are very few women teams. I hope this will change with time,” Majiwa added.

Record champions Telkom Kenya are favourites to defend their title this year, leading the charge 30 points after collecting maximum points from their ten games while Strathmore University are nine points adrift.

Vikings have had endured a wretched campaign, winning just one point from nine matches to leave them sat at the bottom.