2021 National Hockey League
Opening Fixtures @National Hockey Stadium, Lugogo
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
City Lions will open their 2021 National Hockey League season against Kampala Hockey Club (KHC) Stallions this Saturday, 8th May 2021 at the National Hockey Stadium, Lugogo. Five fixtures are on card in the opening day and only one the next day.
The hockey league marks a return after over a one-year hiatus due Covid-19 disruptions following the halting of sports activities in March last year, just days into the new season.
City Lions who didn’t complete the 2019 season, which spilled into 2020 are very wary of a KHC threat but won’t throw in the towel before the season even puck drops.
“KHC is a good team and we have a lot of respect for them, they have all the abilities to beat any team in Uganda,” City Lions Captain Mohammed Ali told Uganda Hockey media.
Though the trio of Alfred Agaba, Edward Walusimbi and Peter Walusansa have left City Lions for Weatherhead (as confirmed by press time), Ali believes that new arrivals, that is; Brian Ofoyimungu from Rockets and Tonny Okema from title holders Wananchi will keep the team in great shape and pose a great challenge to KHC in the opening weekend.
“I can say that the game will be a thriller, it’s not going to be one sided affair,” Ali said adding that; “we will start our journey with the same winning spirit we have always had.”
Ali also expressed his delight in the return of competitive play but believes that they have also prepared to compete in the current times.
City Lions faced KHC twice in the 2019 season with the former winning the first affair 2-0 before they shared spoils in a 3-all draw later on.
However, in compliance with the Covid-19 SOPs meant to curb the possible spread of the pandemic, fans won’t be allowed into the stadium. Journalists may access the playing area but won’t be able to get to the technical areas and team benches.
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.
