Kenya in Tough Pool with Australia and New Zealand for first ever hockey 5s World cup

Kenya men are in a tough pool with Australia and New Zealand for first ever hockey 5s World cup that will be held in Oman 2024.

The highly anticipated FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 was officially launched today at a ceremony which took place in Salalah, Oman attended by FIH President Tayyab Ikram, chief guest H.H. Sayyid Firas Bin Fatik Al Said and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth H.E. Basil bin Ahmed Al Rawas. 

 Men’s Competition

In the men’s competition Netherlands were drawn with Pakistan, Poland and Nigeria in Pool A. India, Egypt, Switzerland and Jamaica will compete in Pool B. Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad & Tobago and Kenya are placed in Pool C, while hosts Oman will face Malaysia, United States and Fiji in Pool D.

The Kenyans defeated Zambia 5-2 during the bronze medal playoff of the first ever African qualifiers of its kind held in Ismailia, Egypt in December 2022. The result saw Kenya secure the third World Cup slot for the African continent, joining the tournament champions Egypt and Nigeria who were runners-up. 

Women’s Competition

In the women’s competition hosts Oman were drawn in Pool A along with Malaysia, Fiji and Netherlands. Australia, South Africa, Ukraine and Zambia are placed in Pool B. India, United States, Poland and Namibia are in Pool C, while New Zealand, Uruguay, Thailand and Paraguay complete Pool D. 

Namibia won gold in the women’s competition, and along with Zambia and South Africa, qualified for the inaugural global championship. Kenya women, Blades, did not advance to medal matches after finishing bottom of the standings.