New kids on the block Kisumu Queens Hockey Club raring to go

Kisumu Queens Hockey Club, a new team in the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Super League, is aiming to become a standout outfit in the league, with "high levels of discipline amongst players, all-round growth and professionalism," according to Brian Aduda, the manager and coach of the team.

"It's for this reason we settled on the name 'Kisumu Queens'," Aduda said, speaking to Mozzart Sport. "We want our players to know that they are queens and carry themselves with dignity and honor. How they relate with each other, technical bench, and management should be above board."

Aduda, a former Kenya international who played for Ulinzi Hockey Club, added that discipline is a core value they want to instill in the team. The decision to form a women's team was made after the overwhelming response to a call for players. "At first, we sent out a word that we wanted to form a men's Hockey team and invited players for training, but only a handful showed up. But when we did the same, inviting ladies for training, it was a full house; up to 40 players, from as far as Kapsabet, came," Aduda explained.

With that overwhelming response for a women's team, the choice on which team to form was a no brainer. Kisumu already had three men's teams in various KHU leagues compared to just one women's team. The Queens have registered 23 players and are set to make their mark when the Super League starts in April. However, the team is facing funding challenges, which is a common problem in Kenyan sports. Aduda said the management team is "working round the clock to ensure that the team functions. These people are very passionate about the game and are doing everything within their means to ensure we stay afloat."

For now, the team is facilitating the players, most of whom are students at various universities and colleges around Kisumu, to come for training. "They appreciate it a lot. The ladies have a passion for Hockey. We're a family and we share whatever little we have. Whenever we get some money, once in a while, we give them a treat," Aduda said.

The Queens have picked Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground as their home turf, but if it is not available for their league games, they will talk to the Simba Sports Club management to allow them to use their premises.

Aduda said the team's focus is on the holistic development of the players, encouraging them to keep off social ills and be disciplined. "We talk to them a lot about life issues, we encourage them to keep off social ills and be disciplined. Sports have a way of rewarding those who are dedicated and disciplined, that's what we tell them."

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Aduda is pledging a better future once the team makes a name for itself, stating that "in the long run, and once we make a name for ourselves, I'm sure we will be able to attract sponsorship from the corporate world."