In Summary
- The teams have opted to prioritize the safety and well-being of their players.
- South Africa has withdrawn its hockey teams from competing due to poor pitch
- The withdrawal denies the team a valuable match practice ahead of the global showpiece in France.
South Africa’s hockey teams have withdrawn from the hockey competition at the 2023 African Games.
The South African women’s hockey team was meant to open their title defence against Nigeria over the weekend, while the men were set to get their title defence underway against Kenya.
Citing concerns over the poor condition of the pitch at the Theodosia Okoh Stadium in Accra, the teams have opted to prioritize the safety and well-being of their players.
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Poor Pitch Condition
SA team leader Patience Shikwambana said that they were assured everything would be in order ahead of the African Games.
“Over and above making this decision, our SA Hockey Federation consulted with Sports Flooring Warehouse, a South African-based specialist in carpet laying, and an FIH recognised service provider,” said Shikwambana.
“They have also advised us – having analysed the images we shared with them – that the field is not satisfactory and may cause harm to the athletes.”
Shikwambana also noted that the multiple rescheduling of the hockey tournament had been a logistical inconvenience.
“In the first Chef De Missions’ site visit meeting at the end of October 2023, we were advised that there would be test events to ensure readiness of venues before the start of each competition.
READ Also:Women’s Football at 13th African Games.
SA Hockey Team Heading to Paris
Team SA have already qualified both men’s and women’s hockey teams for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and with the African Games being held in close proximity to Paris, it was deemed a potential injury risk if Team SA competed under the circumstances in Accra.
