Hockey: NZ men in World Cup tourney

The New Zealand Hockey Federation needs to tighten the purse strings and seek new sponsorship to cover the expense of sending the men's team to the World Cup qualifying tournament in Scotland next month.

Federation chief executive Ramesh Patel had no hesitation yesterday in accepting the last-minute invitation to replace Zimbabwe, who withdrew for financial reasons.

Now the organisation has to find ways of funding the Edinburgh trip after money devoted to the July 17-29 tournament was redirected to hosting Malaysia when New Zealand were originally denied entry.

The federation mounted a four-month legal battle against their exclusion after Bangladesh were given a berth because of a quota system, despite world rankings indicating that 16th-ranked New Zealand should be there.

Plans to appeal against the exclusion in the Court of Arbitration for Sport were shelved last month when the federation was satisfied that its international counterpart had agreed to review rules which caused the anomaly.

Patel said about $40,000 was spent on the Malaysian visit in April. He expected the World Cup tournament would cost about $120,000.

"We've got a little bit of money to find, but we're delighted. We'll just have to tighten up in some areas and find some sponsorship.

"It would be great if we could get naming rights for the men's team."

The biggest hardship was on the players who had to organise time off work.

"They'll have to mentally refocus, but it won't be a problem,"Patel said. "We were disappointed in not getting to the Olympics, and when we were excluded from the qualifiers it was another blow.

"This sets us up to try to get back into the top 10 or 12. The talking stops now; we have to perform."

India make a four-test visit next month, giving the contenders valuable matchplay before heading north and a last chance to impress coach Kevin Towns.

"The Indian series puts a bit more acid on the players to perform."

He did not rule out players who faced Malaysia and Australia last month, but said the 17 selected to play India had the inside running. A squad of 16 will go to Edinburgh.

If New Zealand move into Zimbabwe's group they will play Canada, Poland, who both made the Olympics, and Russia. They have to finish first or second in their pool.

The top seven nations from the 16 competing qualify for the World Cup in Malaysia in August 2002.

- NZPA