The climax of the exciting 2010 season comes off at the national hockey stadium near the Tema Station in Accra Central with the President's Challenge Cup involving the 12 top clubs in the Greater Accra Region from March 5 to April 1, 2011.
At the media launch of the event, Mr. Maxwell Awuku a top official of the Ghana Hockey Association (GHA) announced that the invitational tournament which began in 2009 will be opened to the top four teams in the ladies, men and seniors categories. He named the teams as Exchequers, Trustees, Golden Sticks and CEPS for the men's event, Reformers, Extinguishers, CEPS and Ghana Police for the ladies and Multi Stick, Veterans NDK Financiers and Citizens for the seniors’ categories.
He indicated that there will be no participation fees, but the winners will keep the trophies at stake.
Richard Akpokavie, vice president of the GHA remarked that the tournament is to strengthen networks and relationships among the hockey fraternity. He expressed that the President's Challenge Cup is another event to raise awareness, create competition and propagate the hockey passion and urged the general public to come to the ultra modern hockey stadium to offer support to the players and teams.
The Chief Executive of the National Sports Council, Worlanyo Agra, a former hockey star and official who graced the occasion praised the executives of the GHA and advised them to have faith in the media who cover all sporting disciplines.
He hinted that very soon the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspension on Ghana will be lifted as efforts are being made for the nation to participate in international events. Worlanyo Agra noted that it is about time that budding coaches are sent out to learn new trends and tricks in sports and impact them on the youth.
Nii Kwei Kuma, the Media Liaison Officer of the GHA promised hockey fans a wonderful event as recent programmes organised in Ghana has taught the association many things and they hope to put up a first class show.
Citizens won the last seniors’ event whilst Exchequers took the men's trophy with CEPS taking the ladies cup.
Meanwhile, the GHA will hold its Annual General Meeting on April 2 and an Awards ceremony on that day to honour personalities and institutions who have contributed to the development band promotion of hockey.
