Hockey News of Saturday, 12 September 2015

Source: Kweku Zurek

BEIGE Capital KO starts Saturday

In a bid to produce thrilling hockey games, the Greater Accra Hockey Association has revamped the format of it's BEIGE Capital Knock-Out tournament which pushes-off on Saturday at the Theodosia Okoh Stadium.
The new format announced last Wednesday at a press briefing of the BEIGE KO in Accra will see the respective winners and runner-ups of the men's, women's and youth categories of the just ended Greater Accra Hockey League season seeded in two groups of three teams in their various divisions.
The format of the senior's category has also been tweaked with the five teams; Sapholda Hockey Club, NDK Financiers, Multistix, Veterans and Citizens playing a round robin.
According to the chairman of the GAHA, George Haizel the new format is in line with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) rules and will prepare Ghanaian hockey clubs for international competitions.
"The year's edition of the prestigious BEIGE KO will see a change in the knockout format with the teams in the various divisions ranked on their league position.
"There are six teams in men's, ladies and youth divisions of the Greater Accra Hockey; the new format will place the first, third and fifth teams based on how they finished in the league placed in one group while the second, fourth and sixth teams will be in another group.
"The winners of the various groups will meet in the finals of the five-week competition while the runner-ups will battle it for third place."
The format of the competition will see league champions of the men's division, Trustees grouped with Ghana Revenue Authority and Goldensticks in Group A while Police, Exchequers and Reformers occupy Group B.
The ladies' champions Police have also been paired with Reformers and Ark Ladies in Group A with last year's losing finalist GRA paired with Extinguishers and Amazing Grace.
Michael Djanie, the Lead of Brands and Marketing of the BEIGE Group said his organization which are in the final year of a three-year contract with the GAHA was committed to the developing Ghanaian hockey, disclosing that the deal will be renewed.