FMB games roll on new hockey stadium
The continuation of the 2013 FMB 11-Aside Hockey League last weekend marked the commencing of games on the yet to be completed Hockey Stadium at the Upper Stadium along Masauko Chipembere Highway in Blantyre.
According to Hockey Association of Malawi (HAM) administration officer Benjamin Chaura, they felt it was better to let the games roll on the newly created grass pitch to avoid the exorbitant costs of conducting games on rented grounds.
“Although construction is still in progress at the stadium, we cold not wait any longer to start or games on this pitch because it had been very costly to rely on rented grounds. At least now we are playing or games while having a peace of mind,” he said.
On Saturday, the pitch hosted two men’s matches and two ladies’ encounters. In the men’s games, Genetrix drew 2-2 with Nyala to maintain their strong stand on top of the five-team log table with seven points from three games. Braves and Falcons also drew 2-2 to keep their third and fifth slots with three points and one point, respectively.
In the six-team ladies’ section, Genetrix Ladies extended their lead to six points from two-straight wins after thumping Complex Simba 3-0. Braves Ladies beat Scorpions 1-0 to move from position three to position two wit six points as well.
The 2013 FMB 11-Aside Hockey League, which is expected to wind up on September 14, overflowed into 2014 due to persistent rains that made pitches unplayable between November 2013 and February 2014.
