Kenya’s Twinkle Hockey Club is determined to stage a comeback in the Kenya Hockey Women’s Premier League as they fight to lift themselves out of the relegation zone and cement their place in the top tier.
Having earned promotion this season from the Super League, Twinkle currently sits bottom of the Premier League standings with just three points from seven matches. Despite the tough start, the team remains optimistic that a turnaround is possible.
Speaking exclusively to City Mirror during the club’s official launch of the annual International Nyota Hockey Festival and Gala Dinner held at a Nairobi hotel on Friday night, team manager and former Kenyan hockey international Hellen Chemtai called for patience and continued support from fans and stakeholders.
“It’s true that we started the season slowly,” Chemtai admitted. “One of the biggest challenges has been the availability of players who are still in school. Our squad is quite young, with most players aged between 17 and 25. But I believe our performance will improve as the season progresses.”
Chemtai stressed that the club’s immediate objective is to avoid relegation, noting that Twinkle only began competitive play in 2022.
“Our main target is survival. We tried to earn promotion in 2023 but didn’t make it. Now that we’ve finally reached the Premier League, we’ll give everything to stay and grow,” she said.
As part of its growth strategy, the club has scheduled the Nyota Festival Gala Fundraising Dinner for October 2 at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi. The event aims to raise funds to purchase a team bus, which would ease travel challenges and enhance the club’s national footprint.
The International Nyota Hockey Festival will follow from October 3 to 5 at Sikh Union Grounds in Nairobi. Club president Desmon Boi told City Mirror that the tournament will serve not just as a platform to showcase talent, but as a tool for youth empowerment, gender equality, and long-term sports development.
“Let’s be clear—this is not just about Twinkle. This is about the future of Kenyan hockey,” Boi said. “It’s about building systems, platforms, and partnerships that will outlive us. We want young boys and girls to view hockey not as a side sport, but as a centerpiece of identity, opportunity, and pride.”
Twinkle’s resilience will be tested next weekend when they face league giants and former champions Strathmore University Scorpions and Blazers, two of the most formidable sides in the competition.
