The Indian women’s hockey team has become the 10th side to qualify for next year’s Rio Olympics. India had last played in the Olympics in 1980, the year in which women’s hockey made its debut in the mega event, and finished fourth after losing to the Soviet Union in the bronze medal match.
According to a statement issued by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Saturday, India qualified after England defeated Spain in the semifinals of the EuroHockey Championships in London, which ensured that the only teams who can now win the event have already qualified for Rio through the Hockey World League Semifinals — the Netherlands and England (as Great Britain).
This is the first time when the Indian women made it to the Olympics through the qualification system.
“The winner of the EuroHockey Championships will qualify for the 2016 Olympics as European continental champions, opening up a further qualification spot which India secures as the team which ranked highest (5th) at the Hockey World League Semifinals not already qualified.
“Indian women join the nine teams already qualified for Rio 2016 — Korea as Asian Games champion, Argentina as Pan Am Games champion and Great Britain, China, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the USA through the Hockey World League Semifinals,” said the FIH statement.
Pat from HIHockey India (HI) hailed the historic achievement.
“It is a proud moment for the whole country. We have been waiting for this for the last 36 years and this achievement is the sweetest and the most memorable among all our feats in recent times. I congratulate all the players and coaching staff, who made this dream real. This achievement shows their commitment towards their responsibilities… I am sure the girls will make us proud in the Olympics,” said HI president Narinder Batra.
The remaining two Olympic places (women) will be finalised only after the completion of the continental championships, the Oceania Cup and the Africa Cup for Nations, in November this year.
