National men league champions, Armed Forces, have pulled out of the African Hockey Club Championships scheduled for Accra, Ghana from April 23.

Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) chairman, Hardev Singh, said Forces' withdrawal was ocassioned by their involvement in the First African Military Games set for Nairobi on April 15-27. The Games coincide with the tournament.

Singh said the Union's executive was due to meet late yesterday evening to decide on the possibility of replacing them.

Armed Forces who lost 1-0 to Egypt's Al-Shakia to finish second in the last championship staged in Alexandria, have the bulk of national team players in their outfit.

Singh added that women's representatives in Kenya the same event, Telkom and Sliders, are yet confirm their participation. Telkom are the defending champions.

"We are yet to hear from Telkom and Sliders," he said.

Elsewhere, following Kenya Police's ban from participating in the men's national league, several changes have been to the league's fixtures.

This weekend, Kisumu Simba have a chance to move to the top of the nine-team league as they are lined up to play Armed Forces on Saturday and Mombasa Youngsters on Sunday.

Youngsters will open their city tour with a duel against Nairobi Simba on Saturday. Nairobi Simba will then date Wazalendo the following day at City Park Stadium.