KHU disputes deepen as three sides challenge exclusion from 2025 season

Three hockey clubs—Blue Pirates, Rift Pirates men, and Rift Pirates women—have filed a case at the Sports Disputes Tribunal against the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU), seeking to stop the start of the 2025 season until their participation is guaranteed.

In their statement of claim, the clubs allege that KHU unfairly excluded them from the 2025 calendar of events after issuing a short-notice directive requiring all participating clubs to be registered with the Sports Registrar.

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The directive, communicated via email on 12 February 2025, gave clubs only two days to comply—a deadline the claimants argue was both abrupt and unreasonable.

According to Collins Liyayi Aliela, chairperson of all three claimant clubs, efforts were made to meet the requirement. The clubs promptly lodged their applications with the Sports Registrar and received acknowledgment letters, but the full registration certificates had not been issued by the time the KHU released its calendar.

Despite presenting the acknowledgments to the Union, KHU proceeded to omit the three clubs from the upcoming season, which is set to begin this weekend. The claimants contend that this move not only violates principles of fair administrative action but also undermines the sporting integrity of the league.

The clubs have filed a Notice of Motion seeking temporary injunctions to suspend the start of the season until their case is heard and determined. The SDT is set to sit on Thursday 10 April for a hearing.

They argue that their exclusion risks causing irreparable harm to the clubs and players, and may erode their positions in the league pyramid—not based on sporting merit, but on administrative decisions beyond their control.

In their formal claim, the clubs allege that the Union's decision was driven by ulterior motives, including a push to phase out the zonal league system in favor of a unified league. They claim that opposition from Western Kenya-based clubs, including themselves, may have prompted a scheme to reduce team participation through strict compliance measures.

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The case lists Nakuru, Kitale, Nandi, Bungoma Farmers, Bay Club, and Oyugis Hockey Club as interested parties. The claimants are also seeking a tribunal directive compelling the Sports Registrar to expedite the issuance of their registration certificates.

The Sports Disputes Tribunal is expected to issue a ruling on the urgent application before the league kicks off. The outcome could have major implications for the 2025 season and the governance of hockey in Kenya.

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