The SA Mens and Ladies hockey teams both won the African Hockey Championship on 1 November in Randburg. These results mean that they have qualified for the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 under the IOC's qualifying criteria. SASCOC will be receiving this invitation this week and then have 14 days to accept or decline this invitation. SASCOC have already stated that they will be declining the invitation and thus denying these amazing athletes the opportunity to participate in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games even though they have qualified.

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO PUT PRESSURE ON SASCOC TO RECONSIDER THIS DECISION.

The SA hockey men and women have made incredible personal and financial sacrifices to get where they are and this is a massive slap in the face for these elite athletes. Who will the school kids have to inspire them if our national teams are not competing in the biggest tournaments worldwide. Not only this, but both teams will lose the opportunity to obtain valuable ranking points that only come with Olympic participation.

This HUGE decision by SASCOC could be the start of a terrible decline in SA Hockey and one which we might look back on in years to come as a turning point that could and should be avoided...

I know that their criteria is that you need to be a medal contender, but if that was entirely true then the SA team would consist of a team of about 10 athletes and we know that that isn't going to happen.

SASCOC, you need to reconsider your decision and look at the broader picture here. Look at the stats below - do you want to jeapardise this??? It's YOUR decision, please don't make the wrong one...

SOME FACTS (Source: FIH)