The national male and female hockey teams, Black Sticks have qualified for the 2022 Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK).
The Black Sticks ladies would be having their second consecutive appearance at the Commonwealth Games after competing in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games held in Australia while the men would be making their debut.
Both teams qualified after they fell within the top 10 ranked Commonwealth nations on the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) rankings.
The national female team is currently ranked second in Africa and 30th in the world while the men are ranked third on the continent and 34th in the world.
The Black Sticks men’s qualification was announced after India failed to confirm their participation in the upcoming multi-sports event among the Commonwealth Nations.
Africa would be represented by South Africa, Ghana and Kenya in the women’s category while South Africa and Ghana would also represent the continent in the men’s division.
The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games would be held from July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham under the theme; “Games for Everyone.”
About 5,054 athletes are expected to compete in 20 sporting disciplines. –GNA
