Pakistan qualifies for 2008 Olympic Games by securing Bronze in AG 
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

KARACHI: The International Hockey Federation today announced the teams which have or will qualify for the Olympic Games of 2008.

The Asian Games in Doha, Qatar was the first opportunity for men’s and women’s hockey teams to get qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Korea took the gold in the men’s competition and therefore booked a ticket for ‘Beijing 2008’. Runner-up China will be playing at the Olympic Games as host, while Asian Games bronze medalist Pakistan is also sure of playing at the Olympics in the Chinese capital.

The nine remaining slots will be filled in 2007 and early 2008.

Two women’s teams booked an Olympic spot as a result of the Asian Games. Champion and Olympic host China as well as runner-up Japan are sure of Olympic participation. The ten remaining vacancies are due to be filled in 2007 and early 2008.

Teams Qualified for 2008 Olympic Games 2008 Olympic Games Men’s Hockey tournament China (Host) Korea (Asian Games Champion) Pakistan (Asian Games bronze medalist, extra quota based upon the Sahara World Hockey team rankings after BDO World Cup 2006).

9 vacancies are left that include automatic qualifiers: Champion of the African Olympic Qualification Tournament, champion of the 15th Pan American Games Champion of the 11th Men’s Euro-Hockey Nations Championship, champion of the 5th Oceania Cup Extra quotas based upon the Sahara World Hockey team rankings after BDO World Cup 2006: Silver medalist of the 11th Men’s Euro-Hockey Nations Championship Bronze medalist 11th Men’s Euro-Hockey Nations Championship.

Final 3 vacancies include: Winner of the Men’s Qualifying Tournament for the XXIX Olympic Games: No. 1 Winner of the Men’s Qualifying Tournament for the XXIX Olympic Games, No. 2 Winner of the Men’s Qualifying Tournament for the XXIX Olympic Games, No. 3 Quotas for Men’s Qualifying Tournament for the XXIX Olympic Games: Africa: 1, Asia: 4, (JPN, IND, MAS, BAN)
Europe: 8, Oceania: 1, Pan America: 4, 2008.

Olympic Games Women’s Hockey Tournament China (Asian Games Champion and host) Japan (Silver Medalist Asian Games, extra quota based upon the Sahara World Hockey team rankings after Samsung World Cup 2006) 10 vacancies left: Automatic qualifiers: Champion of the African Olympic Qualification Tournament Champion of the 15th Pan American Games Champion of the 8th Women’s Euro-Hockey Nations Championship Champion of the 5th Oceania Cup.

Extra quotas based upon the Sahara WorldHockey team rankings after Samsung World Cup 2006: Silver medalist of the 8th Women’s EuroHockey Nations Championship Bronze medalist of the 8th Women’s EuroHockey Nations Championship Silver medalist of the 5th Oceania Cup Final 3 vacancies: Winner of the Women’s Qualifying Tournament for the XXIX Olympic Games: No. 1 Winner of the Women’s Qualifying Tournament for the XXIX Olympic Games: No. 2 Winner of the Women’s Qualifying Tournament for the XXIX Olympic Games: No. 3 Quotas for Women’s Qualifying Tournament for the XXIX Olympic Games: Africa: 1, Asia: 4 (IND, KOR, MAS, TPE), Europe: 8, Oceania: nil and Pan America: 5.●