Acting on the directions of the International Olympic Committee(IOC), the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has decided to exclude Russia from participation in the Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup to be held at Potchefstroom in South Africa from April 1 to 12.
Only yesterday, the Executive Board (EB) of the IOC had asked all International Sports Federations (ISFs) and National Olympic Committees NOCs) to keep Russia and Belarus out of the sporting events.
The FIH said in a statement that to avoid the participation of Russian athletes and officials in international competitions – in order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all participants – the Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has taken the decision to exclude Russia from the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup scheduled from 1 to 12 April in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
It is perhaps for the first time in recent years that any nation has been shown the door just a month before the actual start of an event. The FIH is yet to decide whether to name a new team to come in for Russia or conduct the event with 15 instead of 16 teams. It may be a very short notice for any of the stand by nations to come in for Russia and play in the South African flag event of the FIH.
Only last month, the FIH had invited Malaysia to play in the Junior Women’s World Cup after Japan quoting Omicron pandemic decided to opt out.
FIH is in regular contact with the Hockey Association of Ukraine and is doing its utmost to offer any support it can, in the hope that the Ukrainian team will be able to participate in the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup.
FIH expresses its strong hope for a peaceful resolution rapidly.