Carr denies coach's claim
South African Hockey Association (SAHA) president Dave Carr has tried to defuse comments made by coach Greg Clark about the alleged "uncertainty" of the national men's side before the Olympics.
Speaking on national radio, Clark claimed that his side was not 100 percent sure of going to the quadrennial showpiece.
"We are still in the dark as to whether we are going to Beijing," said Clark.
"It is difficult to train under the circumstances and especially for the players with the uncertainty in their minds. But we are preparing as if we are going to go."
While there might be some truth to Clark's comments as Sascoc, the mother body which oversees all sports bodies in the country, still has to officially give their blessings, indications are the men's side should be in Beijing.
According to Carr, there have been two productive meetings between SAHA and Sascoc, since July last year, and if the bodies can agree about the composition of the squad, the men's side will jet off to the Olympics.
"Sascoc have provided financial assistance for the national squads to have training camps in preparation for the Olympics," said Carr.
"Sascoc has this year, the first time in the history of hockey, provided funds to pay the national squads (20 players) a monthly allowance to be paid to the squad members for the preparation to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympics."
"Sascoc have informed SAHA of the date when the selected teams would have to be presented to Sascoc for final approval and announcement," he continued.
Carr said: "Sascoc and SAHA have signed an agreement on the selection policy for the participation in the Beijing 2008 Olympics."
"Taking the above points into consideration, the SA Hockey Association would like to state at no stage have we been 'in the dark' about the participation in the Beijing 2008 Olympics and would like to distance ourselves from statements made recently.
Furthermore, we would like to take the opportunity to apologise to Sascoc for the unfounded comments that were made."