Uganda is the latest African nation to take steps towards initiating its own Hockey Revolution with the aim of competing successfully on the international stage.
The Uganda Hockey Association is following in the footsteps of Ghana, who has made huge strides forward in the past two years after working alongside the African Hockey Federation (AfHF), England Hockey, UK Sport and the International Hockey Federation to raise standards of hockey provision and performance.
“Currently there is no programme in place,” says AfHF Vice-President Ginny Ross. “But we (the AfHF) have asked the Uganda Hockey Association to submit a five-year plan which will incorporate all their plans for development. We need to see a clear picture of their goals so that we can assist them in achieving those ambitions. One major ambition is to get the Uganda national teams to a point where they can compete in second tier competitions within Africa.”
Ross explains that hockey in the East African nation is being run by former players who coach and administrate in clubs and schools, but there is very little structure to hockey development across the entire nation.
While the five year plan is being formulated, things are already moving. The AfHF is working with the National Association to form an academy that will train coaches and administrators. Ross says that the location of the academy has been decided and now the search is on for people who will run the academy and potential elite level coaches who will train at the academy.
Within Uganda, there is an adult league currently running. Six men’s teams and five women’s teams compete against each four times over the course of the season. Ross says it is a popular league but struggles for funds. “There is a sponsor but it barely covers the costs of running a tournament,” she says.
Assessing the challenges that Uganda Hockey faces, the AfHF Vice-President says that it is mostly a question of funding.
Most of the hockey activity in Uganda revolves around the pitch and facility in the capital city Kampala. Schools and higher education centres in the city are very active and this, says Ross, provides a good base to build from.
Despite the financial difficulties facing Uganda Hockey there is a willingness on all sides to make the five year plan happen. The Uganda Olympic Association is a willing partner, says Ross, adding that the body has offered to facilitate an Olympic Solidarity Course, which AfHF will work to fast track. AfHF itself is keen to get coach education courses up and running.
“There could be a bright future for hockey in Uganda,” says Ross, “I feel there is an abundance of enthusiasm and talent. Our job, and the job of the national association, is to nurture the enthusiasm and provide opportunities for growth. The starting point could be with competitions with neighbouring countries.”
As Uganda embarks on a programme of development, it is firmly in line with the goals of the FIH Hockey Revolution – to increase the degree of professionalism within the sport and to generate millions more followers of the sport.
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