Ram Petroleum/Dharwizi Transport National Hockey League

Last Updated on Thursday, 21 June 2012 08:02 Written by Administrator Thursday, 21 June 2012 07:52

HOCKEY ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE

20 June 2012

PRESS RELEASE

Ram Petroleum/Dharwizi Transport National Hockey League

The Hockey Association of Zimbabwe is pleased to announce that the National Hockey League resumes this coming weekend after a break of seven years. The National League had been a major feature of the hockey season since its establishment in 1970. It was sponsored by Rothmans from 1970 to 1989, and by Lonrho from 1990 to 2000. Thereafter it was sponsored by Saltrama Plastics until 2004. The collapse of the two national hockey Stadia (Mgamba in Harare and Khumalo in Bulawayo) in 2005, coupled with the tough economic environment at that time, saw the suspension of the National League.

The Hockey Association of Zimbabwe recognises the sponsorship from Ram Petroleum/Dharwizi Transport for the 2012 National Hockey League. With this support, and with new artificial pitches in both Harare and Bulawayo, the HAZ has been able to resuscitate the National League, a significant boost for domestic hockey in Zimbabwe.

The 2012 league will be played at Arundel School in Harare, the Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo, and a set of matches will be played in Chiredzi. This is the first time that the National League will be played in Chiredzi, the home ground of Hippo Valley Hockey Club.

The fixtures for the first two weekends are included below.

The complete fixtures will be released in due course. As can be seen a full schedule of top class hockey is laid on in Harare this coming week-end, with teams from across the country participating.

In the men’s League Bulawayo based BAC, which has won the National League 24 times in the 48 years it has been played, including 11 consecutive wins from 1994 to 2004, will be out to assert its authority, but will find Hippo Valley a determined side to lift the 2004 Ram Petroleum/Dharwizi Transport National Hockey League.

In the ladies league the Nicky Taylor led BAC will be up against new Harare sides Sunrise Ducks and Chelsea Drifters.

BAC (men and women) and Hippo Valley are the only teams that have survived the transition of the past seven years. Former Harare favourites OH (Old Hararians) are not present, whilst Queens Sports Club has been replaced by Kings Hockey Club in Bulawayo. New teams from Harare include Old Georgians 9making a comeback after many years) and Enthusiasts Hockey Club in the men’s league, with Sunrise Ducks and Chelsea Drifters in the ladies.

GR Stephens

Hockey Association of Zimbabwe