It was just a stand-in for Akilini.
Originally, Akilini was planned to be a form of Kolhii and to use the same name, but the story team later changed it to be a different sport. By the time this took effect, however, Mystery of Metru Nui had already been written, and as such it referenced Kolhii multiple times in the book.
Akilini likely was meant to use staffs at some point.
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