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Door shut to SA hockey Olympic dream

Cape Town - Following media reports on the unhappiness at the South African men and women’s hockey teams not qualifying for Rio 2016 Olympics, SASCOC has reiterated that the Continental Qualification route will not be considered.

The SASCOC board agreed on the Rio 2016 Olympics qualification criteria in May this year, where all participating sports codes signed the policies in agreement with the relevant standards.

In light of this, even if the South African hockey teams win the African Championships currently being held in Johannesburg and ending this weekend, the status remains as is - they will not be able to qualify for next year’s Rio Olympics.

Says SASCOC CEO, Tubby Reddy: “We commend the SA men’s and women’s teams participating in the African Championships being held in Johannesburg, giving their best and competing for world ranking points.

“However, the SASCOC Board firmly believes that the qualification criteria, which have been agreed between the international sporting federations and the International Olympic Committee and based on World Olympic Qualification, is in line with SASCOC’s policy of producing world class athletes who will compete at the highest levels.”

The link below is the qualification criteria that was agreed upon between SASCOC and SAHA and the selection policy was signed by both parties.

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