The Fijian national hockey team aims to do well in the Oceania Cup in New Zealand next week to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
National coach Hector Smith said the Fiji Hockey prepared for the 2015 Pacific Games winning gold medals in the men’s and women’s categories.
“It’s possible we can qualify for the Olympics and nothing is impossible, “Smith said.
“We know it’s a very tough competition as we need to beat the world champion Australia and then play the next best qualifier in the region
The Fijian men’s team will face Australia in the first round on Wednesday.
The competition will be held on October 25- 31 and it’s the final qualifying tournament for the Oceania region for the Rio 2016
“We’re gratefully for the opportunity to go and play and we would like to thank the support that we’re getting.”
Fiji Hockey Federation president Dr Robin Mitchell said financial constraints were one of the problems.
“FHF entered this tournament earlier in the year in April but following the Pacific Games and the difficulties in raising funds, we withdrew both teams from the tournament.
“Not long after that both Oceania Hockey and New Zealand Hockey were looking for the number three team in the region to take part. “So both organizations contributed funding to allow us send one team to take part.”
The team will depart for New Zealand on Sunday at 9:15am.
Fiji: Beniamino Lutua , Hector Smith, Richard Eyre, David Ledua, Rupeni Fabiano, Terence Corrie,Walter Heritage,Tevita King, Amenatave Veitamana, Kriristofer Mock,John Ah Tong, Leevan Dutta, Alsace Smith, Adrian Smith, Jerome Edwards, Martin Fong, Denzel Mock, James Saqacala.