Sydney, April 4: The South African men’s field hockey team has a fortnight to try to convince their National Olympic committee to reinstate the team in the Sydney Games.
South Africa qualified for the Olympics as African champions, having beaten Egypt 4-0 in the decider last year. But the republic’s National Olympic Committee withdrew the team believing they would not finish higher than ninth out of the 12 teams in Sydney.
Those fears were based on the directive that all South African sporting teams have a quota of coloured players. Argentina are the first reserve team and with the Olympic draw due to be published later this month, there is still no sign of a resolution.
“It’s hard for us to say, it’s in our Olympic committee’s hands,” said South African captain Craig Jackson on Tuesday. “They have said `no’ but we as players are just concentrating on what we do best.”
“I’m not sure that results here will have much of a bearing.”
Coach Bonnet said: “It’s a difficult situation for us as a team and we have to work through the process. We’re pretty optimistic and we have a lot of faith in our association. The ministry of sport is also backing our participation.”
Walsh wouldn’t say whether he felt the South Africans would finish in the top eight but his respect for them is well-founded. South Africa drew 1-1 with Australia at the last Olympics and beat the Kookaburras 3-2 at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.
“I think they will be desperate in these two tournaments,” Walsh said on Tuesday. “A result or two will make their Olympic committee almost turn around on their decision.”
“It’s not the first time it’s happened to their hockey team and as a hockey player, I think it’s a terrible decision. “I’d be happy if they were in the other pool at the Olympics.”