South Africa has opted to withdraw its men’s and women’s hockey teams from the ongoing 13th African Games in Accra, citing concerns over substandard facilities and inadequate preparation by the hosts. This decision aligns with recommendations from the International Hockey Federation.

The withdrawal was prompted by the unpreparedness of the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Pitch to meet international standards for hosting the competition. Both the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the African Hockey Federation have been notified of South Africa’s decision.

According to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), assurances of readiness for international-standard competition were not upheld, rendering the pitches unsuitable.

In a statement released on Monday, Ms. Patience Shikwambana, Team SA’s leader, communicated the reasons for the withdrawal to the LOC. She highlighted concerns over potential harm to athletes due to the inadequate field conditions, as confirmed by consultations with specialists.

Shikwambana noted logistical inconveniences caused by rescheduling and emphasized the absence of pre-competition test events, which were promised during earlier site visits. The failure to conduct necessary field certification tests in advance further contributed to South Africa’s decision.

Given South Africa’s already secured spots for both men’s and women’s hockey teams in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the proximity of the African Games to the Olympics heightened concerns over potential injury risks for Team SA athletes competing under the circumstances in Accra.