Assistant Hockey Coach of the University of Ghana, Walter Brown, has expressed dissatisfaction with the subpar condition of the hockey pitch at the University of Cape Coast, which is currently hosting the 28th Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games.
After a tense game against the University of Cape Coast on Tuesday, January 7, UG men’s hockey team coach criticized the pitch conditions, describing it as dangerous for players. Despite UG’s exciting 5-4 victory in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw, Coach Walter voiced his dissatisfaction with the pitch’s quality, highlighting safety concerns for players during the tournament.
There is sand in some areas, and patches of grass in others. At times, it feels like you’re playing beach hockey, and at other times, it feels like grass hockey.
It’s uneven, it’s not up to standard, and it’s even a risk to the players—not just our team, but the other teams as well,” he told Universports.
“We expected to play on a standard pitch, perhaps at one of the secondary schools, because St.Augustine has a standard pitch. It would have been nice to showcase the kind of quality hockey that could inspire others to love the game. But playing on this surface is concerning,” he added.
The UCC GUSA Games will run from January 3 to 18, 2025, with 16 universities competing across 12 disciplines.
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Story by Asack Pius|univers.ug.edu.gh
