April 23, 2009

The Pan American Hockey Federation has announced the qualifying procedure for the 2011 Pan American Games to be held in Guadalajara, Mexico, in July 2011.

It is recognized that all countries in the Pan American Hockey Federation should have the opportunity to qualify for the Pan American Games through a regional tournament held during the two years immediately preceeding the Pan American Games year.

While the 7th South American Championships 2010 and the 21st Central American and Caribbean Games 2010 will provide this opportunity for most countries, there is no opportunity for countries from North America (Canada and USA).

Taking the above premise into consideration, the following is the official qualification procedure for the men's and women's hockey tournaments at the XVI Pan American Games to be held in Guadalajara, Mexico in July 2011:

1. Host country (Mexico).

2. The first and second placed countries at the 7th South American Championships (so long as a minimum of four countries participates).

3. The first and second placed countries at the 21st Central American and Caribbean Games (so long as a minimum of four countries participates).

4. Two countries not already qualified under paragraphs 1 - 3 above, based on final rankings at the 3rd Pan American Cup 2009.

5. The eighth women’s country will be determined after the conclusion of the 7th South American Championships or the 21st CAC Games (whichever is held later).

   In the event that Canada (women) does not qualify under the procedure outlined in paragraphs 1 - 4 above, they will play a three-match series at a neutral venue against the women's country which would have qualified for the Pan American Games as a third country in accordance with paragraph 4 above, with the winner filling the eighth (8th) place in the women's tournament.

6. The eight men’s country will be that country which would have qualified for the Pan American Games as a third country in accordance with paragraph 4 above.

Note: If there are less than four participants in either the 7th South American Championships or the 21st CAC Games, an additional country will qualify based on rankings from the 2009 Pan American Cup.

For more information, please contact the PAHF Competitions Committee or visit the Pan American Hockey Federation web site.

The Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) is recognized by the FIH as the governing continental federation for all field hockey in the Pan American region. There are 26 member Nations of the PAHF. For more information please contact info@panamhockey.org.