….. As Chairman’s Challenge Pushes Off
As part of the Ghana Hockey Association’s activities marking Ghana’s 50th Independence celebrations, the chairman of the Association and CEO of NDK Financial Services Oko-Nikoi Dzani has donated a sleek trophy and a ten million cedis prize money to be competed for by the 4 senior who make up the Greater Accra Hockey Association’s S-League. The competition named the Chairman’s Challenge will be staged annually with a similar one being planned for the A-League participants in consultation with the Chairman of the GHA.

On day one of competition, Multistix showed no mercy on aging Veterans, mauling them 10-2 in the first match of the competition. Daniel Boateng led the scoring with 3 goals, Kwame (Abieh) Essah and Eric (Dada) Manu found the backboard 2 times each while Rev. Ato Hagan, Seth (Oboodoku) Bempong and Eddie Odametey complemented the scoring with 1 goal each. Bato Kukubor got 2 face-saving goals for Veterans.

In the second match, uncrowned GAHA Areeba S-League champions NDK Financiers made their intention to win the maiden competition very clear when they tore rejuvenated Citizens apart with an 8-1 score margin.

Kingpin Richmond (Minor) Attipoe led the destruction with 3 goals, Mustapha and Daniel Dupliex got 2 goals each and Daniel Djokoto finished off the challenge with 1 goal. Oxford Attipoe of Citizens pulled one back for his club.

After match day 1, Multistix lead the log with 3 points, same as NDK but with superior goal difference. Week 2 will see the 2 top clubs jostling for supremacy with Multistix determined to redeem their pride after the back-to-back humiliation suffered at the hands on NDK in the just ended Areeba S-League.

The Competition which would be played in accordance with FIH regulations has the following parings:

WEEK ONE - SATURDAY 10TH MARCH 2007

Match (1) Multistix vs Veterans 7.30am

Match (2) NDK vs Citizens 9.15am

WEEK TWO - SATURDAY 17TH MARCH 2007

Match (3) Multistix vs NDK 7.30am

Match (4) Veterans vs Citizens 9.15am

WEEK THREE - SATURDAY 24TH MARCH 2007

Match (5) Veterans vs NDK 7.30am

Match (6) Multistix vs Citizens 9.15am

WEEK FOUR – PLAY-OFFS TO DECIDE FINAL ON POSITIONS

Match (7) 4th Ranked Team vs 5th Ranked Team 7.30am

Match (8) 2nd Ranked Team vs 1st Ranked Team 9.15am

The Technical panel will be headed by Tournament Director Frank Awuku. He will be supported by the Umpires’ Manager Richard Abaidoo, and Technical Officers Daniel (Arbito) Lomotey and Louis Tengey. The Umpires will be led by Ghana’s only FIH female umpire Hagar Laryea and will include Aziz Salami, Daniel Denkyi, Jeffery Ashalley and Delali Agbesi. The Judges will include George Banson, Amina Medinatu and Bruce Okai.