Newsday
23 June 2011
The Zimbabwe men’s hockey team coach Bill Birkett Wednesday hailed the renewed interest in the sport as the country prepares to host the Africa Olympic Games qualifiers set for Bulawayo in September.
Government and the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee through the Olympic Solidarity funding have been trying to revive the sport.
“These are exciting times in local hockey. I haven’t been excited like this about the local sport in ten years, but that has all changed as we are preparing for the Africa Olympic qualifiers.
“It all started with the government pledging support in the relaying of astro turf at Khumalo and I’m happy with the progress that has taken place so far.
“The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee also secured funding for the team through the Olympic Solidarity program which is a huge boost for our preparations,†said Birkett.
Birkett who is also a technical expert will team up with Pakistani coaching expert KM Awais to conduct a technical course for 20 local coaches at the Olympic Sports Center at Prince Edward from June 25-July 22.
The course is being funded by the Olympic Solidarity to the tune of $10 000.00.
The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee last month secured US$45 000 from the Olympic Solidarity to support the Zimbabwe senior men’s hockey team.
The funds will be channeled specifically towards the hockey team’s preparations for the Olympic Games qualifiers.This was a bold step towards ensuring that Zimbabwe qualifies a team sport to the Olympics for the first time since 1980 when the women’s hockey team won a gold medal.
The Minister of Education, Sports and Culture David Coltart, made a passionate appeal to cabinet for the release of the 1 million dollars which was needed for the refurbishment of Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Zimbabwe to Host 2nd African Olympic Qualifier
The Hockey Association is preparing feverishly to host the second African Olympic Qualifier in Bulawayo during the period September 2-11, 2011. The Government of Zimbabwe is therefore rehabilitating the Khumalo Stadium and replacing the old turf with a modern, state of the art and environementally friendly one. A Press Release from the Local Organising Committee indicate some good progress being made.
HOCKEY ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE
PRESS RELEASE
KHUMALO HOCKEY STADIUM, BULAWAYO
The Khumalo Hockey Stadium was built in 1994 to host the Africa Games in 1995. That event was an outstanding success, due in no part to the excellent facilities. The stadium, at its prime, ranked amongst the best such facilities globally, and the President of the International Hockey Federation, Mrs Els Van Breda Vriesman, during a visit to mark the centenary of hockey in Zimbabwe in 2000, noted that Bulawayo was an ideal venue for hosting international tournaments.
During this period, the facility was attracting more international sportsmen and women, of all ages, than any other sporting facility in Bulawayo. Far from being a white elephant, as many had predicted, it was a facility that was put to good use by both adults and school children. Sadly after 2003 the stadium fell into disuse as the artificial carpet approached the end of its useful life, and no hockey was played there after 2005.
The Hockey Association of Zimbabwe is pleased to advise that on 31 May 2011 a contract was signed in Harare for the replacement of the artificial turf. The chosen supplier is Edelgrass based in The Netherlands; Edelgrass provided the original turf in 1994, but new technology has allowed them to supply an enhanced product for the Khumalo Hockey Stadium – returning it to one of the top hockey facilities globally. Taking into account the City’s water concerns, the new “B†field will require no water to play on, whilst the new “A†field will require about 50% less than that previously used. In this way the KHS has reduced water consumption to 25% of the previous amounts – a considerable boost to the environment and the City. The new turf left the manufacturer on 9th June and is due in Bulawayo on the 16th July, with completion two weeks later.
Part of the motivation for the repair of the stadium was the hosting by the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe of a major International Hockey Tournament, and the Africa Hockey Federation awarded Zimbabwe the right to host the Africa Olympic Qualifier in September 2011. The last major event hosted at the Khumalo Hockey Stadium was the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000. The hosting of this Olympic Qualifier is a major boost to not only Bulawayo, but to Zimbabwe as a whole.
In addition to this event Zimbabwe will host the Southern African Three Nations Tournament in late August. This annual event brings together teams from U/14, U/16, U/18 and open from Namibia and Botswana. In mid-August the Inter-provincial Tournament will be played at the KHS.
At the same time the Congress of the African Hockey Federation will be held in Bulawayo. These three events will bring much needed activity to our city hotels and boost the image of the City. Teams and delegates will arrive at the new JM Nkomo airport and play at a newly revamped stadium.
The repair to the field irrigation system, the roof and other parts of the stadium are now moving forward. However, since that date, a team of volunteers has been active at the stadium clearing and cleaning, and have enjoyed resounding support from the City of Bulawayo.
Please contact either Mr James Watson, Marketing Manager, Africa Olympic Qualifier, Local Organising Committee (AOQ-LOC) on 0713 608 238 or mhb.projects@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or the Matabeleland Hockey Board (President, Mr R Kendall-Ball 263 772 126 755 ) or the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (President Mr K Kanyangara 263 773 430 470) for more information.
The Official Host of the Tournament is the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe, but the Matabeleland Hockey Board, as the local host, is embarking on various efforts to make this a success and showpiece for Bulawayo and Zimbabwe.