The African Olympic Qualifier was held at the City Park Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya from 1 – 22 July 2007 on the new artificial surface funded with the assistance of the IOC and FIH.

The AfHF Executive Board held meetings on Friday 20 and Sunday 22 July 2007. A Technical Seminar was held on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 July 2007.

A Congress and Tournament Dinner was held in the evening of Friday 20 July.

The AfHF Congress was held on Saturday 21 July 2007.

The following are highlights of the events.

ELECTIONS

The following were elected to the Executive Board:

Seif Ahmed (Egypt) – President (unopposed)
Steve Jaspan (RSA) – 1st Vice President (unopposed)
Resham Bains (Kenya) – 2nd Vice President
Nii Quaye-Kumah (Ghana) – Hon. Secretary General
Clare Digby (RSA) – Hon Treasurer (unopposed)
Hazel Kennedy (Zambia) – Ordinary Member (unopposed)
Gavin Stephens (Zimbabwe) – Ordinary Member

In view of the heavy work load the Executive co-opted two additional members:
Mohamed Shaheen (Egypt) – Marketing and Sponsorship
Oko Nikoi-Dzani – Special Projects including Constitution

AWARDS

The Aymin Amin Memorial Umpiring Award was awarded jointly to John Wright (RSA) and Marelise de Klerk (RSA) who had inter alia umpired the World Cup Final and bronze medal matches respectively at last year’s World Cups.

AFRICAN OLYMPIC QUALIFIER

The Men’s competition was won 2 -1 by South Africa, in a very exciting final after Egypt had led 1-0 at half time.  Egypt can consider themselves unlucky as they dominated large parts of the game.  Hosts Kenya won the bronze medal.  In the Women’s Competition South Africa beat Kenya 5 – 0 in the final, whilst Ghana scooped the bronze medal.

Uganda men’s side made great sacrifices to compete at this level for the first time in decades and the brave Zimbabwe women’s side travelled to Nairobi, despite the socio-economic and political crisis in their country, and deserves great credit for their determination and loyalty.

PROPOSED TOURNAMENTS

(VENUES DEPENDENT ON FINALISATION OF BIDS)

2007     AFRICA CUP OF CLUB CHAMPIONS, DECEMBER, EGYPT
2008     JUNIOR AFRICA CUP, SEPTEMBER, SOUTH AFRICA or EGYPT
2022     AFRICA CUP FOR NATIONS, SEPTEMBER, GHANA

WEBSITE

The African Website will be updated and is www.afrhockey.org

NEW MEMBERS

Sudan has become a new member of the AfHF and 3 other new hockey nations are in line for membership in forthcoming months.

THANKS

It was great having FIH President Els van Breda Vriesman and EHF President Leandro Negre in Nairobi.  They attended hockey matches, the Congress, the Seminar and dinner.  Their support of African Hockey has been wonderful.

Source: AfHF