Kenya's Telkom women hockey team vows to defend continental title

NAIROBI, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's women representative to the 2018 African Cup for Clubs and defending champions, Telkom, have vowed to defend the continental title that they have won cumulatively nine times with the last five being consecutive wins.

The Kenyan side, which changed their name from Orange to Telkom after their sponsor rebranded, have also won the national league a record 20 times and is regarded as the country's most successful hockey team ever.

"Ghana has been a hostile ground for us in the past like in 2010 when we faced a lot of drubbing, but we have put all that in the past and will overcome under our slogan 'adapt and thrive'," team coach Jose Openda said on Tuesday evening during a ceremony to send off the team to the event.

The team, which also contributes the bulk of the national squad members, also received sponsorship package from their backer, Telkom, worth 120,000 U.S. dollars for allowances, kit requirements and training needs for the 2018 season.

Telkom CEO, Aldo Mareuse, said their long-standing relationship with the team is borne out of passion for the sport as well as the stellar performance of the squad.

"The team is in line with our value brand of supporting the young urban population and we will continue to support them as a winning side. Over the years, the team has continued to grow and withstood the test of time and competition both locally and in Africa," the CEO said.

Tracy Wachira, the team captain, said the team was up to task and they have undergone intensive training sessions for the championship.

"We have won the title for the last five consecutive years and there is no reason why we should not win a sixth title," the skipper remarked.

The 30th edition of the tournament will be held at the Theodosia Okoe Hockey Stadium between Jan. 20 and Jan. 27, featuring teams from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Egypt. Enditem