From: Daniel Kenu, GNA Special Correspondent, Pretoria

Courtesy: Ministry of Education and Sports

Pretoria, Oct. 10, GNA - The national male hockey team is to be revolutionalised with the injection of lots of youthful players, Coach Winfred Sackey told the GNA Sports in Pretoria on Saturday. Without mentioning any names, the head coach said most of the "old guards" would give way to the young ones, particularly those who participated at the Cairo Junior championship. Already, seven of the youth including Elikem Akaba and short corner expert, Salya Insalbini, have been drafted into the senior team.

The idea, according to the coach, is to prepare a formidable side for the next All-Africa Games in two years. He, however, cautioned Ghanaians not to expect immediate results from the new exercise but added that it was the only move that could take Ghana to the world cup.

Ghana won bronze beating Nigeria 2-0 in the match for third place, but coach Winfred Sackey said they could have done better. On the future of Ghana hockey, the coach said it was possible for the nation to overtake Egypt in the rankings with a little effort but "Ghana will have to do a lot of work to leapfrog over South Africa." As part of reviving and revitalising the sport, a community programme has been initiated while the SSS schools programme is also being intensified in order to whip up and sustain the interest in the sports, the coach said. He praised the male team after the match for third place adding, "I'm glad that they improved match after match".