FROM THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER IN MOSHI
Six men’s teams are competing in the prestigious 14th edition of the Nyerere Hockey Tournament which opened yesterday in Moshi.
The tournament is among the key championships on the Tanzania Hockey Association (THA) calendar, Chairman Kaushik Doshi told The Arusha News. This year’s event marks the 26th anniversary of the passing of the Father of the Nation.
According to fixtures released by the national hockey body, defending champions Moshi Khalsa ‘A’ began their title defence against last year’s runners-up, Black Mambaz of Dar es Salaam, yesterday evening, Friday, 17 October. Moshi Khalsa defeated Black Mambaz 2–1 in a closely fought final last year.
Other opening matches yesterday included Moshi Khalsa ‘B’ facing hot favourites Arusha Twigas, and Moshi Khalsa ‘A’ playing Twende from Dar es Salaam.
In the men’s draw, Group A features Moshi Khalsa ‘A’, Twende and Black Mambaz, whereas Group B comprises Moshi Khalsa ‘B’, Arusha Twigas and Tanga Stars.
The women’s competition is a single-pool round-robin featuring Temeke, Ilala and Twende—all from Dar es Salaam.
Today, Saturday, 18 October, Twende meet Black Mambaz at 08:30, followed by Arusha Twigas against Tanga Stars at 10:00.
The winner of Group A will meet the runners-up of Group B in the first semi-final and the winner of Group B will face the runners-up of Group A in the second semi-final. The semi-final winners will meet in the men’s final tomorrow, Sunday, 19 October, at 11:00. The women’s final is scheduled at 09:00. All matches are played at the Moshi Khalsa Club. The three-day tournament is sponsored by Sikh Community of Moshi.
