South African hockey star Keenan Horne (Getty Images)
Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Although South Africa qualified for the FIH Hockey Men’s Pro League, the South African Hockey Association (SAHA) decided not to join for the 2023/2024 season.
SA will be replaced by Ireland.
SA had qualified for the competition by winning the Nations Cup at Potchefstroom last year.
In a statement posted on the FIH website on Tuesday, SAHA says it will nevertheless look to join the league at some point in the future, should its men’s or women’s teams qualify.
“The SA Hockey Association (SAHA) is extremely saddened by the fact that they will not attend the FIH Hockey Pro League season (2023-2024) despite our qualifying in the inaugural Men’s Nations Cup,” said the director. Acting SAHA General Shaune Baaitjies.
“The magnificent progress in our team’s performance is a direct result of our participation in the Pro League last season. As a federation, we will always be grateful for the opportunity we were given to participate at that level.
“He will be greatly missed, especially as he would have helped our team with their preparation for Paris 2024. We wish Hockey Ireland and all the other teams the very best for the FIH Hockey Pro League season (2023-2024).”
Following SAHA’s decision, FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “While we will miss South Africa in the upcoming season, we know that the South African Hockey Association is fully committed to joining the FIH Hockey Pro League as soon as possible. possible. Therefore, this is only a matter of time.”
SAHA’s decision, however, appears to have caught domestic players by surprise, with Keenan Horne taking to social media to express his views.
“I just can’t believe the decision was made without input from any coach or player,” Horne said on Twitter.
