Mbabane: It’s a major boost for the local hockey association. A United Kingdom (UK) hockey club has donated hockey equipment valued to approximately E75 000 to the Eswatini Hockey Association.
Old Georgians Hockey Club member Oliver Morgan yesterday donated the hockey equipment to Eswatini Hockey Association Secretary-General Prosper Sithole at an event held at the Mbabane Club.
Some of the equipment presented by Morgan included a number of full set kits for a hockey team, hockey sticks, coach’s tracksuit and clothing, mouth guard, shin guards, socks and rash guards, stick bag, grip, balls, chest pad, arms and elbow protector, right and left-hand protector, goalie girdles, groin/pelvic protector, leg guards and kickers among other items.
Morgan disclosed that his father used to live in Eswatini which is why he was touched by requests from his UK club that they helped the country. He said their main aim was that the items reached the underprivileged so that they may also be able to participate or play hockey.
According to Morgan “my father lived in Eswatini for 25 years and used to work for the Prime Ministers (PM)’s office. I have played hockey in the UK and in South Africa at the University of Cape Town,” he said. He said he reached out to the local hockey association secretary-general through Facebook. “The people of my club in the UK are very happy to have been part of the donation. They want people without opportunities to also get exposure and experience what hockey can offer,” said Morgan.
He continued, “We are looking for a long-term relationship with Eswatini and we are planning on having regular visits. The plan is to continue supporting Eswatini hockey and we feel it is important that these items go to the underprivileged.”
Morgan also indicated that he was looking forward to organizing a friendly game with Eswatini hockey players when he returned to the kingdom. Sithole expressed his sincere gratitude on behalf of the association and assured the donors that the equipment will reach the underprivileged. He noted the significant role the donated items will play in helping develop the sport in Eswatini.
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