Budget cut hampers BHA plans
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday September 15, 2016 14:59
“It is a tough one because when you approach potential sponsors it is better when you have something to fall back on instead of being empty handed,” said Matebu.
Meanwhile, BHA has since refunded members of the boys team that took part in the African Hockey Championship in Namibia.
Controversy erupted when the boys team failed to travel with the players demanding refunds.
The tournament served as a qualifier for the 2016 Junior World Cups to be held in Chile in November (boys) and India in December (girls). That did not go according to plan as the boys team failed to travel.
On the other hand, the girls team travelled to Namibia but had to withdraw from the tournament, only to participate in friendly matches. Players contributed P500 each towards the trip to assist the bankrupt BHA.
Matebu said they have refunded the boys team since they did not make the trip.
“We have not refunded the girls because they had an agreement with their coach together with their parents to stay in Namibia even after we withdrew from the competition.
That is why we cannot be expected to refund them and even now there has not been any demand from parents seeking refund,” she said.
Matebu said the Namibian trip has affected the passion of the players and they are no longer interested in the sport.
She said even when requested to go for training they do not see the need, as they are not guaranteed of competing in any international tournament due to limited funding.