The Zambia Under-18 men’s and women’s hockey teams have withdrawn from the 2026 U18 Youth Africa Cup in Nairobi, Kenya, after failing to raise the funds required for the trip.
The Zambia Hockey Association (ZHA) says it needed K590,148 to facilitate the participation of both teams but was unable to secure the funding despite exhausting all available avenues.
ZHA General Secretary Elvis Bwalya has described the withdrawal as heartbreaking, citing Zambia’s strong pedigree in the Hockey5s format and the missed opportunity for the country’s young players to gain valuable international experience.
The 2026 U18 Youth Africa Cup is scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 6 to 8.
By Canaan Siame
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