ISLAMABAD: The Men’s FIH Hockey Olym­pic qualifier, which was earlier withdrawn from Pakistan, will now be hosted by Oman from Jan 15 to 21, 2024.

According to an FIH press release, Oman had already shown interest to bid at an early stage to host the event during the bidding phase.

The other three Olympic hockey qualifiers will be played in China (women’s, Jan 15-21, 2024) and Spain (men’s and women’s, Jan 13-21).

Six men’s and as many women’s teams will qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics through these Oly­mpic qualifiers, for which the participating teams from Oceania and Europe are already known.

Australia and the Netherlands (women’s and men’s) have already secured their spot at the Paris 2024 hockey event by winning the 2023 Oceania Cup and EuroHockey Championships respectively, therefore joining hosts France.

The ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou as well as the upcoming Pan American Games and African Hockey Road to Paris tournament will determine the remaining teams qualifying directly for the 2024 Olympics (three men’s and as many women’s teams) as well as the teams playing the Olympic Qualifiers.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2023