Citizens International Club launches 2017 schools and colleges hockey fiesta

Accra, May 30, GNA - Citizens International Club, has launched the 2017 Inter-schools and Colleges Hockey fiesta at the Office of Multi choice Ghana in Accra.

The event dubbed 'Dr. Emmanuel Evans-Anfom and MD. Theodosia Okoh High Schools and Hockey fiesta would see eleven schools competing for glory at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium, in Accra on 16th June 2017.

The participating schools for this year are Adisadel College, Mfantsipim School, Achimota School, Prempeh College, Accra Academy, Opoku Ware school, Wesly Girls and Yaa Asantewaa Senior high School, St. Augustine's college, Presby Boys and Mfantsiman Girls.

In an interview with the GNA Sports, Rev. Lumor Manu, chairman of the Citizens International Hockey Club, said the vision for this year's tournament is to educate the young Ghanaians on the effects of illegal mining, 'Galamsey' on the society as the event is themed 'Water is Life, Save our Water Bodies, Stop Galamsey Now!'.

He added that the competition would also give an exposure to young talents who would represent the nation in the future.

"We think it is inappropriate to let these young men and women play only hockey and leave without taking anything back home. Last year we had career counselling section for them and they really appreciated it, they are so many people who played for the hockey national team and still occupy very good positions in the country.

"We think that if we continue engaging the student and encouraging them to play hockey, it would be a stepping stone for them to develop their careers without thinking about something illegal.

"This competition started last year, as part of Citizen international club's 30 years anniversary, where we invited seven senior high schools in Ghana to compete. We have realized that this competition could help develop hockey in the country so we decided to make it an annual event'.

"We have invited eleven schools this and we are hopeful that with time we would make it more competitive, there would be competitions at the regional level and then we would select the best for them to come to Accra to compete for the medals.

"Last year we identified five players who could be groomed and trained to play for the national team. This would help the development of hockey in our senior high schools.

Citizens International Club awarded a plaque to the sponsors of the event as a way of showing appreciation for their immense support of the competition.

GNA

By Edward Gyasi, GNA