Hockey Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia pulls out of event due to financial woes

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Kenyan teams had a losing start to the Africa hockey cup of nations in Egypt after both men and women sides lost their matches. The competition this year features five countries following Zambia's late pull-out. And as Celestine Karoney reports, their failure to travel is symptomatic of a never ending financial malaise in African sport.

Zambia's last minute withdrawal has put a spin on the scheduling at the Africa hockey cup of nations in Egypt. The withdrawal is a setback for a sport already struggling for numbers - out of its 24 members only five are present in the continent's flagship competition.

RICHARD AKPOKAVI GHANA HOCKEY FEDERATION PRESIDENT It was sad to see Zambia miss it's a minus for Africa

Lack of funds meant Zambia could not raise airfare to Egypt. This is the second consecutive major tournament miss by the country, which is yet to make its continental debut.

CELESTINE KARONEY ISMAILIA, EGYPT Zambia's failure to compete here shows some of the challenges African countries face in hockey. Kenya were able to get to the tournament but they too had their share of problems

MESHACK SENGE KENYA MEN'S COACH We were supposed to have been here by Wednesday but didn't work out for us. I can only sympathize with Zambian players who have put in a lot only to get disappointed.

RICHARD AKPOKAVI GHANA HOCKEY FEDERATION PRESIDENT Unfortunately, governments in Africa tell us they are using money for other things in development of social and economic infrastructure which one cannot argue against and so hopefully we can get African corporates on board to help us.

Kenyan teams began their campaign with losses - the men's beaten 3-0 by Ghana. South Africa ran out 5-0 winners against the women's team - a result which carried a silver lining for the East Africans.

LILLIAN AURA KENYA WOMEN'S CAPTAIN It's definitely not disappointing because the last time we played South Africa we lost 12-0 but now it was 5-0 so it's a step in the right direction. We just lost concentration at some point and they utilized all chances and we didn't which came back to bite us.

The gold medalist from the men's division will earn a place at next year's hockey World Cup. For the women two teams will represent the continent at the WC after South Africa earned qualification for the global tournament through the World league.

SHELDON ROSTRON SOUTH AFRICA HOCKEY COACH Today we got three new caps that came in so there's a stepping stone for our players and using our team to come into the WC and give youngsters a chance.

South African teams are favourite for the titles with the men chasing an eighth gold medal while the women seek a seventh title. CK, CGTN, ISMAILIA, EGYPT.