On Saturday 12th October, ugly scenes were witnessed as a fan ran onto the pitch and punched a referee on the head.

This happened at full-time of the game between Wananchi and Weatherhead, which, in many ways, was a title decider, and a lot was at stake for both teams.

Wananchi won the game, 2-1, with goals from Shafik Byamukama and Jordan Achaye, while Weatherhead’s only goal was scored by Maxwell Mugisa.

With this result, Wananchi moved top of the table, level on points (37) with Weatherhead but ahead on goal difference (94-76).

During the game, players, mainly from Weatherhead kept on going to the referees complaining and this happened throughout the game.

In the 59th minute, Weatherhead applied pressure on Wananchi in search of an equalizer.

Elias Okello of Wananchi fouled Weatherhead’s Topher Kyamanywa   as he advanced towards the D in an attempt to score.

In the ensuing altercation, Topher struck Elias Okello, prompting Oketcha William, another player from Wananchi, to intervene.

Umpire Ezra Mandela intervened to calm the situation, issuing a red card to Topher for his actions towards Okello, while Okello and Oketcha received yellow cards.

An agitated Topher, as he left the field, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision and threatened further disruption after the game.

Weatherhead continued to play and earned a short corner, but failed to convert the opportunity before the game concluded.

At the final whistle, Weatherhead fan Nsubuga John ran onto the pitch and punched referee Aheebwe Rooney and chaos broke out.

Another official, Joshua Masawi who had run to the rescue of Rooney was also punched by a fan who has been identified as Dickson.

The matter has been referred to police and action is yet to be taken but by looks of things, the Hockey Association wants to handle to matter seriously.

Hockey and undiscipline.

Not so long ago, the Uganda Hockey disciplinary committee had been dealing with a case where 2 players fought with sticks, hitting each other on the head and the chest.

A while back, a player from Wananchi ladies abused the referee  on the pitch, after being sent off even after the end of the game and no action was taken.

What happened to discipline?

There has been very many incidents and it has sort of become a norm that some people can say and do whatever they want and they get away with it.

Uganda Hockey Association has a task on their hands to be able streamline things and take action every time there is an indiscipline case or and off the pitch.

Currently, the case of the assault of officials has been taken to police and is still being worked upon but the Hockey Association is yet to release a statement on the matter.

Safety of Officials Going Forward.

After an incident like that, the safety is officials has to be top priority and this is an area the Association has to address.

There are very few referees and most double as players which brings in the question of bias.

With the officials being few, it is very hard to import officials and so looking from within is the best option but there will also be a question of bias.

However, even with the few numbers, if they are worried about their safety, they may quit officiating and the situation will worsen.

Uganda Hockey Association has to try as much as possible to recruit and train very many officials, who do not double as players and this could solve their problems.