It is no joke. From 1 April, the North-West University (NWU) will host the 2022 Women's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup at the Astroturf fields in Potchefstroom.
This is the ninth time the event has been presented, and it would have taken place in December, but the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus put paid to those plans.
Now, 16 teams comprising the best under-21 hockey players on the planet will come together next to the Mooi River from 1 to 12 April.
“We are super excited that the event will take place. For us, it is the chance to showcase our facilities and our varsity,” says Shaun Hulley, hockey manager on the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus.
“It is going to be something special. We are going to see top teams like the Dutch and the Argentinians, but hopefully South Africa can put on a strong show as well. They have a good squad. We are going to see some good hockey.”
The Argentinian side is the defending champion, while the Dutch team has won the tournament three times. These sides also competed in the finals of the 2009, 2013 and 2016 tournaments.
“It is a milestone for Africa and South Africa to be able to host a hockey tournament on this scale. It is a first for us and a first for the continent, and it would not be possible without the NWU,” says Shaun.
