Controversy surrounds walkover awarded in Lakers B match against Wazalendo Pearls
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 28.05.25. | 19:05
Technical Official Caren Koloni decided the weekend contest could not proceed due to an unplayable surface
A cloud of controversy surrounds the decision to award Lakers - B a walkover against NCBA Wazalendo Pearls in their scheduled Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women’s Super League match on Saturday 24 May, after the fixture at Highway High School was called off due to an unplayable pitch.
The decision, made on match day, has drawn strong reactions from the Wazalendo Hockey Club leadership, who claim due process was not followed, while KHU match officials maintain the decision was taken in the interest of player safety.
Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Wazalendo Hockey Club President Elly Mwanzi expressed frustration at how the situation was handled.
"All the teams were at the field and ready to play regardless of the condition of the field, which had a section that was wet because of a drainage leak," said Mwanzi. "We had even started getting murram to cover the bad section. The umpires were willing to officiate, but the Technical Official, Caren Koloni, decided the match could not proceed."
Mwanzi added that despite the earlier rains, the club had sought an alternative venue at Impala Club as a contingency plan and had secured a 4pm slot.
However, he says the match was called off before this plan could be implemented.
“After about an hour of uncertainty and some altercation, the Technical Official declared a walkover. We were already arranging for transportation to the alternative venue,” he explained.
Citing previous instances at City Park Stadium where flooded fields led to postponed matches rather than forfeits, Mwanzi termed the walkover “harsh” and “unfair,” noting that an appeal has already been filed with KHU.
In response, Technical Official Caren Koloni said she was only fulfilling her duty to ensure player safety.
“I couldn’t allow the match to proceed in that condition, it was dangerous,” said Koloni. “After consulting Deputy Match and Fixtures Secretary Moses Majiwa, I was told to speak to Elly Mwanzi to explore alternatives. But the team management claimed Mwanzi wasn’t part of the matchday delegation and couldn't make decisions for the team.”
Koloni emphasized that she tried to be lenient, giving the team ample time to take up the Impala option.
However, she claims Wazalendo only considered the move after she had already awarded the walkover, well past the one-hour mark after the scheduled match start.
“They were reluctant and ignored the advice. When they later agreed to move, the decision had already been finalized,” she said.
Kenya Hockey Umpires Association Secretary General Peter Obalo backed the decision, saying the pitch was in no state to host a competitive match.
“I was consulted and I agreed the pitch was unplayable,” said Obalo. “I spoke with Majiwa, who suggested the game be moved to Impala under Mwanzi’s arrangement. But when the team management said Mwanzi couldn’t make such decisions, it complicated matters.”
Obalo confirmed that this breakdown in communication influenced his advice to award the walkover to Lakers - B.
According to KHU competition regulations, Clause 13.6 outlines "Force Majeure" circumstances unforeseeable and unavoidable events such as floods that can affect matches.
Wazalendo argue that this should have warranted a postponement, not a forfeiture.
As the club awaits a response from the match and fixtures desk following their appeal, the incident raises broader questions about how venue-related disputes and communication breakdowns are handled in the league.
