THE new indoor hockey season got underway last week with all teams ready to fight and win the titles won by Eradicators and Manolios last season. In the women"s category, 11 teams managed to raise and pay the US$500 affiliation fees while in the men's category eight teams are taking part.

All the matches are being played at Sunrise Sports Club from Monday to Thursdays in the evenings.

Harare Hockey Board treasurer, Sarah Evans, said they were looking forward to a promising season and already some sponsors have come on board.

"We are very fortunate to have 11 ladies teams and eight men's teams this season, so we may alter fixtures and have a second round for the men seeing as they have less teams but we will assess as the season continues.

"We have been very fortunate to have Dharwizi Transport assisting us with sponsoring umpires' shirts as well as equipment for us to have mini-hockey tournaments on the astro-turf which is a good way of developing hockey with the younger generation.

"We hope to nurture this relationship in order to get hockey back on track, after a long 10-year lapse, and having a competitive local league. Mark Manolios Sports have also always been supportive of hockey and trying to assist with equipment where possible and we are grateful to both our partners.

"We will appreciate any support and people should come down and cheer their favourite teams,"said Evans.

Evans added that the annual provincial tournament would be staged in the capital in March.

"There will be an Inter-provincial hockey tournament in March this year, the dates have been provisionally set for March 9 and 10.

"Last year, four provinces took part and we are hoping for even more support this year," said Evans. Last night, Hockey Club were scheduled to play Eradicators in the first match before Scorpions took on Mambas in the second match.

Lions were scheduled to play Double Drifters in the last match of the day.

Tomorrow, Chelsea Drifters will begin the day's proceedings with a match against Eradicators before Universals take on Sunrise B.

Sunrise Chicks' tie against Extreme Pro will complete the evening's programme

On Thursday, Elite will play Carguards before Enthusiasts take on Sunrise A.

Fixtures:

Tomorrow: Chelsea Drifters v Eradicators W(6pm); Universals v Sunrise B(7pm); Sunrise Chicks v Extreme Pro(8pm);

Thursday: Elite v Carguards; Enthusiasts 1 v Sunrise A.