Relegation battle intensifies as KHU league nears end

With Butali Sugar Warriors and Blazers on course to retaining their titles in the Kenya Hockey Union men and women Premier League respectively, the fight for relegation takes centre stage as the league heads to the final bend.

In the men’s league, the contest has narrowed down to three teams; Strathmore University Gladiators, Sikh Union and Parklands with two teams from the top-tier league set to drop to the Super League.

The Gladiators are ranked eight with 10 points after 15 matches while Sikh are ninth with nine points having played 16 games as Parklands sit at the bottom of the 10-team log with seven points from 14 outings.

Strathmore thus remain with three matches; first they face off with Sikh on November 23 thereafter take on United States International University (USIU) a day later before winding up the season with a game against Parklands on November 30.

On their part, Sikh only remains with two matches and will come up against Strathmore on November 23 before taking on Western Jaguars in their last match of the season on November 30.

Parklands remain with four matches; Kenya Police (November 16), Sailors (November 17), Butali (November 23) and Strathmore (November 30).

In the women’s Premier League, one team will face the axe, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) currently sit at the bottom of the eight-team league with a paltry two points with two matches to go.

Similarly, Kenyatta University are still not safe mathematically as they rank seventh with six points with two matches remaining.

Elsewhere, Parkroad Badgers are closing on a return to the top-tier as they currently top the men’s Super League with another slot still open to Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCAU) and Mombasa Sports Club (MSC).

Super League sides Oranje Leonas, DFG Wolverines and University of Nairobi (UON) are still in contention for the sole ticket to the women Premier League.