Telkom Lady’s Hockey team won the 2017 edition of the Africa Cup of Club Championships women’s title for the fifth consecutive and a record nine times.
The team had trounced perennial rivals Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) 2-0 in the women’s final.
The team has dominated the games since 2012.
To understand, their commitment and consistency, I spent time with the Team.
It was my first time to attend a hockey training session.
Hockey has always not been my thing.
In fact, I used to wonder what people used to do, chasing around a small round ball with sticks in their hands like a mob chasing after a chicken thief ready to lynch him.
I chose to spend the Tuesday afternoon with Tracy Nungari Wanjiru, a 24-year-old, Team Captain of Telkom Lady’s Hockey Team and who also doubles up as the team’s midfielder.
Tracey is young, vibrant and she is passionate about Hockey.
Her prowess in the field coupled with her enthusiasm as she plays and commands her team shows how talented and good she is.
“The Telkom Lady’s Hockey Team is made up of about 30 players,” said Tracy, with a broad smile on her face.
The team is known for its numerous achievements including winning the SOYA Awards Team of the Year 2016 and having held the runner’s position severally in a number of other sports awards.
Currently, it is the best hockey team in Kenya.
“We have been crowned league champions 20 times in a row and 5 times African club champions in a row too,” added Tracey.
Further, it has always constituted the bulk of the national team.
When asked about competitors who might send some shockwaves down their spines, Tracey lets out a soft laugh, sighs and says “None”.
The only worthy opponent, according to her is the ladies hockey team from Strathmore University.
Tracy discloses that having been sponsored by Telkom, they have seen a number of benefits coming their way as a team including getting good allowances from training and playing.
Telkom Kenya also ensures that the team is well equipped with sports gear, which she notes it would have been expensive without their support.
The criteria used for selecting players is very simple according to the captain.
Players are selected from other teams across the country while others are best hockey players from different high schools across in Kenya after clearing their secondary education.
Telkom Kenya has been on the forefront of shaping Hockey in the country by producing the best players not only locally but in Africa.
Despite leading in most tournaments, Tracy notes that they have very little exposure internationally which limits them from knowing their strength outside Africa.
“Hockey in Kenya cannot be fully depended on as a profession and players are forced to seek other sources of income,” added Tracy.
Tracy tells me that passion for the game happens to be her greatest motivator on a daily basis adding that having been part of various competitions have helped sharpen her way of thinking, working under pressure and leadership skills.