Ho, (V/R) Nov. 24, GNA - The Chairman of the Ghana Hockey Association, (GHA) Mr Oko Nikoi Dzani on Saturday inaugurated the Volta Regional branch of the Association with a call on all the regional branches to endeavour to publicize and encourage the youth to patronize the sport.

He urged the members to reach out to Senior and Junior High students to rejuvenate the lost passion for the game especially at the grassroots level.

Mr Dzani noted that Ghanaians until recently were passionate about hockey as a sport and therefore tasked regional executives of the Association to "catch the new generation at their tender ages" for the game to gain its lost glory.

He said even "though hockey was not financially rewarding as football, it was a lively sport that has much joy to benefit those who it".

The Dzani said the game was making a positive dimension and called on players to make discipline their hallmark to promote the sport at all levels.

He said that facilities at the region's and districts would soon be upgraded in an effort to promote a national Hockey League next year and urged all stakeholders to remain committed to the sport. Mr S.K. Awunyo Akaba, the newly elected Regional Chairman of the Association pledged the preparedness of the members to spread the game to the districts and would soon commence a regional league. Mr Noble Atadi, Captain of the Regional Team said they lack sports kits and a pitch and appealed to benevolent organizations to support them with the necessary equipment.

Earlier in a 4-team Hockey tournament to grace the occasion, Multi Sticks from Accra beat NDK financiers at the finals. The other teams were Citizens and Ho Hockey Clubs. 24 Nov. 07