Uganda men’s national hockey team (Hockey Cranes) have a new coach. Innocent Raskara, a young coach and active player with a reputation for developing talent and winning games, has been appointed as the head coach for the team, Uganda Hockey Association confirmed on Thursday.
“Uganda Hockey announces the appointment of Innocent Raskara as Head Coach (interim) of the men’s senior national hockey team…Innocent comes with a wealth of experience and understanding of the game and current crop of players,” the association’s missive read.
At the time of his appointment, Raskara was coach of national league side Makerere Stingers. He also plays for Wananchi.
Raskara who replaces Francesco Richichi will have his work cut out for him as he prepares the team for the upcoming Africa Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifiers slated for 29th October to 5th November in Pretoria, South Africa.
At the Pretoria event, there is one Olympic spot reserved for both the men’s and women’s continental champions and that allocation will be decided at the African Hockey Road to Paris event hosted at Tuks University.
Uganda men’s team are in Pool A, alongside hosts South Africa, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. Men’s Pool B has Zambia, Ghana, Egypt and Kenya.
Uganda women’s team won’t be participating at the event as they didn’t qualify.
In the women’s tournament there will be 7 teams competing for the spot including hosts and champions of this event in 2019 South Africa. They will be joined in Pool A by Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Pool B has Namibia, Ghana, Zambia and Kenya.
With only a few days left until the Pretoria event begins, Raskara will be working hard to prepare the team for the challenges ahead. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the first game, hoping that he and the national team will bring glory to Uganda.
