Local hockey governing body Uganda Hockey Association (UHA) will field it’s senior national teams (both men and women) in the Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) slated to puck drop in January 2022 in Accra, Ghana.
Ugandan sides earned tickets to the continental showpiece when they confirmed participation in the Northeast Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) Hockey Qualifier that was slated to take place in March 2021 in Nairobi, Kenya. The tournament was originally meant to be graced by six nations, fielding both male and female teams but only Kenya and Uganda confirmed participation hence they automatically qualified for the ACN because only two teams per gender were meant to make the cut from the week-long qualifier.
According to Uganda Hockey’s roadmap and activity plan for the ACN, if all goes well as planned, especially on financial grounds, the contingent will depart for the tournament on 28th December.
In a bid to strengthen the national team set up, the association has already advertised for the following positions; Team Manager – Men, Team Manager – Women, Head Coach – Men, Head Coach – Women, Goalkeeping Coach, Team Doctor and Physiotherapist. Application process closes on August 16th 2021 whilst successful applicants will be selected this very month.
The provisional teams will start non residential training on 18th September and on 6th December, final squads comprising of 36 players in total will be announced.
On 20th December, the teams and entire Ghana bound contingent will enter a residential camp and will depart on 28th December.
The tournament will run from 2nd to 9th January 2022 in Accra, Ghana. Team Uganda will return home on 11th January.
Uganda Hockey will use the early days of December to work on Visa issues, finalization of contingency composition, squad numbers and emblazoning names on uniforms.
In the early post tournament days, other technical matters in regard to the tournament will be handled by the association.
The Africa Cup of Nations was meant to be held in September this year but was postponed because of the uncertainty posed by Covid-19.
The Africa Hockey Federation (AfHF) Congress that was meant to take place this year will also be held during the ACN 2022 in Ghana.
