Kisumu-based Lakers hunting for partner to power continental dreams

As the Africa Cup for Club Champions (ACCC) edges closer, Kenyan club Lakers Hockey Club is mounting a determined campaign to secure corporate support to fund its participation.

The tournament is set to take place between 24–31 January 2026 in Harare, Zimbabwe.

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The Kisumu-based side, buoyed by its ambitions and the exposure that African club hockey promises, has faced formidable financial hurdles that threaten to sideline its continental quest.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, coach Austine Tuju articulated the heart of the club’s motivation, underlining both aspiration and the pragmatic barriers that have hampered progress:

“We want to redeem ourselves, our title, and position at the continental competitions. It is important to widen our players’ exposure to international platforms for potential professional assignments and placements, which I believe have better prospects than our local market,” said Tuju.

Lakers have already shown flashes of competitive promise on the continental stage.

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In the 2023 ACCC held in Blantyre, Malawi, the club delivered some stirring performances, including a commanding 15-0 win over Capital Braves and a notable 2-2 draw against defending champions Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the women’s category.

The team’s spirited play secured a spot in the finals match before their campaign was cut short by sanctions later that year.

However, that tournament ended in controversy.

The African Hockey Federation (AfHF) sanctioned Lakers Hockey Club, issuing bans and financial penalties to players and club officials following a disciplinary incident at the ACCC final in Malawi involving ineligible players and a breach of competition protocol.

Despite this turbulent chapter, Lakers’ ambition remains clear: to compete and make a mark on Africa’s biggest club hockey stage.

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Tuju did not mince words when outlining the obstacles standing between Lakers and their ACCC aspirations.

“We lack corporate sponsorship, have zero allowances for players, limited training time and resources, and none of the necessary support services,” he explained.

Tuju also noted that, while the Ministry of Sports has remained largely silent on assistance, the club has looked to the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) to advocate on its behalf.

The absence of sustained governmental backing has forced the side to travel by road to past competitions - a taxing journey that adds further strain to limited resources.

Such challenges are not unique to Lakers.

Across Kenya’s hockey landscape, other clubs, including Butali Warriors and Western Jaguars remain in limbo as they too seek financial commitments to underpin their ACCC ambitions.

In previous editions, the government provided support to teams such as Mombasa Sports Club for the 2024 ACCC in Egypt and Western Jaguars and Blazers in the 2023 ACCC, but consistent backing has not materialised this cycle, leaving clubs to fend for themselves.

For Lakers, the messaging to potential sponsors is strategic and commercial:

“Supporting Lakers Hockey Club will bring a return on investment, product and service visibility in both local and international markets throughout Africa. We can be ambassadors for brands, mobile billboards via branded uniforms and gear, and leverage our social media platforms to boost product profiles,” said Tuju.

With the 2025 edition looming, Lakers Hockey Club’s bid for sponsorship takes on urgency.

The team will need not only financial backing to cover logistics but also the moral support of a community eager to see homegrown talent shine on a bigger stage.

If the necessary backing arrives, Lakers could once more represent Kenya with pride and competitive zeal, building on their compelling performances in past ACCC appearances.

For now, the club’s appeal to sponsors anchored in commercial visibility, international exposure, and brand ambassadorship underlines a broader need within African hockey for sustainable financing models that allow talent to thrive beyond national borders.