The long-awaited Nairobi Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) girls hockey league gets underway at Moi Girls, Nairobi this weekend.

The league has, however, been hit by the withdrawals of former champions Hillcrest Secondary School.Hillcrest withdrew from the league alongside last year's debutants Rusinga School.

In a release, league coordinator James Akweri, said the league will involve 12 schools from Nairobi, will be played on Saturdays on a home and away basis unlike in the past when it was played during weekdays.

This year will also see the participating teams meeting at a central venue unlike before when teams used to travel to various grounds to play on a home and away basis.

Akweri said this is aimed at minimizing on students' travel as the weekday traffic has become insurmountable. Defending champions Moi Nairobi Girls will play in Pool 'A' alongside Kenya High, State House, Buruburu and Precious Blood. Pool 'B' will feature Mt. Laverna, Pangani, Kianda, Parklands Arya and St. George's. Akweri said the top two teams in each pool after the preliminaries shall proceed to the semi-finals.

Though hockey has been moved to Term 2A, Akweri said they have opted to start the game earlier due to lack of enough time in second term. "There isn't enough time to play all the preliminaries in second term, so the bulk will be played in first term."

The winner of the final will represents the county at the metropolitan region games.