2021 National Hockey League
Opening Fixtures @National Hockey Stadium
Saturday, 8th May
*MUK vs MUBS
*Wananchi vs Weatherhead Vikings
*City Lions vs KHC Stallions
*DCU vs Rhinos
*Weatherhead Historicals vs Weatherhead
Sunday, 9th May
*KHC Originals vs Rockets
After over a one-year hiatus, the National Hockey League will finally puck drop on Saturday, 8th May 2021 at the National Hockey Stadium, Lugogo. Last year’s league didn’t happen due to Covid-19 disruptions following the cancellation of sports activities in March, just days into the new season.
Ahead of return of local competitive hockey this weekend, the players and club officials underwent Covid-19 tests as a way to curb the possible spread of the pandemic. Other SOPs meant to curb a possible spread of Covid-19 will be adhered to on match days.
Uganda Hockey Association (UHA) General Secretary, Stanley Tamale confirmed that they are ready for league return but everything will be done in accordance with the ‘new normal.’
“Most groundwork is ready and we’re simply awaiting push back. We’re really excited, it’s been long,” Tamale noted.
For the case of fans, Tamale says that; “unfortunately, much as we would be glad, we shall not have them. This is in compliance with the Covid-19 SOPs.”
“Journalists should be able to access the stadium. However, they shall not be able to access the technical areas and team benches,” Tamale added.
10 male teams and 5 female teams will participate in this year’s league that will be played in two rounds.
KHC Originals, Weatherhead Vikings and MUBS (Makerere University Business School), all male outfits will be making their league debuts. The other male teams in the league are; Weatherhead, Weatherhead Historicals, Wananchi, Makerere Stingers, City Lions, Rockets and KHC (Kampala Hockey Club) Stallions.
The female teams are; Wananchi, Weatherhead, DCU (Deliverance Church Uganda), Rhino and KHC Swans. There are no additions to the female pool.
Wananchi sides are the defending champions in both the men’s and women’s pools.
