The Mombasa ladies hokey team has come out to appeal for for financial assistance as the team prepares to represent the country at the upcoming African Club Championship (ACCC) in Port Said, Egypt.

According to officials, the team requires Kshs 6.3 million to enable it take part in the tournament.

Speaking to members of the press at the Mombasa sports club, Mombasa county hockey association President Oliver Mascarenhas said the team is ready and eager to make the trip to Egypt to represent the county and country at large.

“We are excited about this opportunity and are calling to all well-wishers out there to come out and support our girls. We are currently in need of kshs 6.3 million for travel, accommodation and visa, as you know the visa fees have now gone up from kshs 5,000 to kshs 12,000 thus also making our budget go up. We are thankful to the Mombasa sports club, they have been able to give us Kshs 600,000 as part of their support” said Mascarenhas.

Adding “We are very proud that a Mombasa team can qualify to go and represent the country. We want to send our young girls to Egypt to show what Mombasa can offer. This is the time for our girls to shine internationally. Please come out and support them.

His sentiments were echoed by the Mombasa Sports Club sports convener Rajab Babu noting that the team participating in the tournament will help in promoting the country.

“By the team going to Egypt it will be a game changer for our ladies. This is a market, this is where we can shout about our talent. I can see some of the ladies not coming back, joining professional leagues and international teams and this is key to us because this is a market, they are going to a big market in Africa. So we need to understand the extent of this tournament.”

Adding “With this we are selling Mombasa and Kenya as a country. We are asking all stakeholders to come and chip in. Every player in the world dreams of playing in the higher level and so let us make this a reality for our girls.”

On her part the team captain Esther Mwende noted ” It has not been easy reaching where we are. It will be demoralizing if we do not travel.”

The tournament starts from 30th January to 7th February 2025.