Genetrix teams leave for Zambia tourney
Genetrix Hockey Club men and ladies teams left the country by road on Wednesday morning for Lusaka, Zambia where they will be guest participants in the Phoenix Assurance Hockey Championships from Friday to Sunday.
The clubs got the ticket to the three-day competition courtesy of the Zambian Hockey Association, which has offered free accommodation for the visiting 38-member squad, according to Genetrix coach Geoffrey Biya.
This will be the second time for Genetrix men’s side to participate in an international event after taking part in the 2010 African Club Championships in Lusaka, where they finished last.
The ladies’ team will be making a first appearance on the international arena.
The travelling squad has 18 male players, 16 female players and four officials. The men’s side will battle for the crown against six Zambian teams. The ladies’ category will also have the same number of contesting teams.
Genetrix men’s team will be the first to step on to the pitch on Friday, when they take on Lusaka Tigers in an opening match from 2.30pm.
“Since the men’s side is already familiar with international hockey, we have challenged them to be among the best three teams at the event. But we have not set a target for the ladies’ team as they will be there to learn,” said Biya.
The Zambia trip is a big relief to the Genetrix Hockey Club considering that they failed to take part in the African Club Championships in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe last December because they could not raise enough funds for their trip.
