All Eyes on Swakopmund as African Indoor World Cup Spots Are Up for Grabs

    For the first time in African indoor hockey history, four nations will compete for the title of African Indoor Champions as the Indoor World Cup Qualifier kicks off in Swakopmund on Thursday. Hosts Namibia, along with Botswana and Zimbabwe, will vie for a coveted place at the 2025 FIH Indoor World Cup in Porenc, Croatia. Thanks to the South African team’s stellar performance at the 2023 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Pretoria, there are now two spots available for African nations. SPAR South Africa made history by becoming the first African team to reach the final four of the Indoor World Cup, securing a second spot for Africa in the women’s tournament. That groundbreaking team was led by head coach Lennie Botha and captain Jess O’Connor, both of whom retired post-tournament. Now, the mantle has passed to AJ Spieringshoek and Jamie Southgate, who aim to clinch an African title that has eluded SPAR South Africa’s ladies in the previous two editions. This team is markedly different from the one that narrowly lost the final at this venue in 2017, with no members from that squad remaining. Defending champions Namibia also triumphed in the inaugural Kathea Energy Nkosi Cup in Cape Town in December, though they fell to South Africa in the Tuanku Zara Cup final. Zimbabwe showed promise in the 2017 tournament, while Botswana is eager to demonstrate their improvement since suffering heavy defeats in the 2022 edition. In the men’s division, both South Africa and Namibia advanced to the quarterfinals of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup. However, it was South Africa’s sixth-place finish that secured two spots for the continent in Croatia. South Africa, supported by Tops at SPAR, has been the dominant force in African hockey, winning every African qualifier to date, including the last one held at this venue. Despite their impressive record against Namibia, they remain cautious of the threat posed by Trevor Cormack’s side. Zimbabwe, absent from the last edition, showed incredible fight in their previous Swakopmund appearance and remain a wild card due to their extended absence from international matches. Botswana hopes for a better showing than in Durban as they continue to develop as an indoor hockey nation. The tournament will be live-streamed on One Up Two through the NTV page here, with updates available on the South African Hockey social media pages. Fixtures – Indoor Africa Cup 2024 – Men 23 May 2024 – 17:00 – South Africa vs. Botswana 24 May 2024 – 20:00 – Namibia vs. South Africa 25 May 2024 – 11:00 – South Africa vs. Zimbabwe 26 May 2024 – 14:00 – Bronze Medal Match 26 May 2024 – 17:00 – Gold Medal Match Fixtures – Indoor Africa Cup 2024 – Women 23 May 2024 – 15:30 – South Africa vs. Botswana 24 May 2024 – 17:00 – Namibia vs. South Africa 25 May 2024 – 12:30 – South Africa vs. Zimbabwe 26 May 2024 – 12:30 – Bronze Medal Match 26 May 2024 – 15:30 – Gold Medal Match Source: sahockey.co.za | May 23, 2024

    Yves-du-Manoir Stadium: A century long legacy of Olympic excellence

      Lausanne, Switzerland: In the heart of Colombes, a serene suburb of Paris, stands the majestic Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, a beacon of sporting heritage and excellence. As the countdown to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris gains momentum, this historic arena prepares to once again witness the electrifying spectacle of hockey, echoing the spirit of its illustrious past. Nestled amidst lush greenery, the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium boasts a legacy that transcends time. Back in 1924, it stood as the proud host of the VIII Olympiad, welcoming athletes and spectators from across the globe to celebrate the pinnacle of sporting prowess. Among the events that captivated the world was hockey. Fast forward a century, and the echoes of history reverberate once more as the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium gears up to reclaim its place on the Olympic stage. The anticipation continues to rise as players, coaches, and fans alike eagerly await the chance to etch their names alongside the legends who once graced these hallowed grounds. For the athletes, competing at Yves-du-Manoir will be more than just a quest for gold; it’ll be a homage to those who paved the way before them. When they step onto the pristine turf, they will feel the presence of past champions, their spirits fueling the determination to strive for greatness. But it’s not just the athletes who will feel the weight of history; it’s the spectators too. When they fill the stands, they will become part of a tradition that goes back a century, bound together by a shared love for the game and a reverence for the venue that has borne witness to triumphs and defeats alike. When the first whistle blows and the game begins, the air will crackle with excitement, and the stadium will come alive once more. Every pass, every tackle, every goal will be greeted with roars of approval, which will be a testament to the enduring passion for hockey that transcends generations. Test Event   On 4 and 5 May, a test event was held to conduct all the operational checks of the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Various junior and senior teams were in action and the athletes were buzzing as they spoke to us after their matches and shared their excitement about hockey at the upcoming games. Nike Lorenz, captain of the German women’s hockey team said, “It is a beautiful stadium and I can’t wait to see it once it is branded fully and filled with fans for the Olympics. The whole team is excited and we are thrilled to be involved in the test event.” Victor Lockwood, who will be among the most crucial players for the men’s team from France added, “It’s an amazing feeling playing here and we are getting impatient to play in the Olympics. We have been playing here for three weeks now and we are growing together as a team.” Niklas Wellen, player of the tournament and gold medal winner at the recent FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023, said, “We can already feel that the atmosphere in the main stands will be absolutely electric. It’s been a good experience for us to get to know the stadium and I really like it.” Tony Estanguet, President of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Organising Committee, was in attendance at the test event in the Yves-du-Manoir stadium. Speaking about the significant history of the stadium he remarked, “The Yves-du-Manoir stadium has been a very important part of the French sports movement and we are excited to be back here. 100 years after we had the opening ceremony and many other events in the stadium during the 1924 Paris Olympics, we are proud to have hockey played here in this historic venue.” He also extended a warm welcome to the global hockey fans and said, “We are looking forward to the fans filling up the stadium and bringing an amazing atmosphere. The entire country is ready and excited for Paris 2024, we just need you fans here and we look forward to having you!” For more details about Hockey at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, visit Olympics.Hockey. #Paris2024 #HockeyEquals #HockeyInvites For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please download the Watch.Hockey app or follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and website.

      Indoor Africa Cup [IAC] 2024 (M&W) Logo revealed

        The IAC2024 (M/W) takes place in Swakopmund, Namibia during the period 23-26 May 2024 and is the Qualifier for the FIH Indoor World Cup 2025. 4 Participating Teams (M/W) from: Botswana Namibia South Africa Zimbabwe #IAC2024 #HockeyInvites International Hockey Federation (FIH) SAHA – South African Hockey Association Namibia Hockey Hockey Association of Zimbabwe Botswana Hockey Association

        Join and play, on first ever “International Hockey Day”!

          Lausanne, Switzerland: As part of its 100-year anniversary celebrations, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) will launch the first ever “International Hockey Day” on 13-14 April 2024. This year, dates have been chosen to coincide with the week of the “100 days to go” milestone (happening on 17 April) until the start of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. However, the International Hockey Day is not a “one-off” event. It is here to stay and will be celebrated every year in the future (at a date which remains open)! For this first edition, FIH has invited all National Associations (NAs) to make a pledge to grow hockey in their respective nations by getting at least 100 new young players into the sport and increasing their fanbase on social media until the start of the upcoming Olympics. Concretely, NAs are urged to identify a project or series of projects that may be implemented until the start of Paris 2024 to reach these objectives. “The International Hockey Day shall offer an additional opportunity to the global hockey community for boosting the promotion of our sport. In particular, it should aim at bringing and exposing more people to hockey. Growing the number of athletes worldwide and growing our fanbase are two essential pillars of our mission. This Day, that will be a very special date in hockey’s international calendar every year, shall contribute to fulfilling this mission. I therefore appeal to each and every member of our community worldwide to play a part in this quest for growth”, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said. The International Hockey Federation was created on 7 January 2024 in Paris, France. Throughout the year, various activities will be organised to celebrate this milestone, culminating at the FIH Congress in November. #Since1924 #Hockey100Pledge #HockeyEquals #HockeyInvites For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please download the Watch.Hockey app or follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and website.