Bibiani top Ashanti hockey league

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) failed to hold on to a 38th minute strike by Christopher Dogbe to draw 1-1 with Ashanti Regional hockey league leaders, Bibiani, last Saturday as the sport undergoes rejuvenation in the region.

Despite playing on a grassless pitch, the two teams excited the sparse crowd with some flawless stick works and great strokes.

Angelino Mensah equalised for Bibiani from an amazing field goal in the 51st minute to push them atop the log on seven points, one point better than Unique in the five-team league.

Seniors, who are bottom on the table, registered their first win in the penultimate games of the first round, beating Unique 2-1.

Featuring mostly veterans, including national team coach, Emmanuel Abban and Lawyer Boafo, the old guards scored two quick goals through Kofi Serbe and Innusah Iddrisu after Frank Owusu had given Unique the lead in the 27th minute.

The Ashanti regional league may not have the modern water-based turf available in Accra, but the competition has its own uniqueness of drawing fans to the pitch and whipping up interest.

Coach Abban's personal commitment, love for fresh talents and special interest in grooming girls, is catching up very fast and the league could soon rival that of  Greater Accra League despite the fact that it lacks funds.