Hockey Association of Malawi (Ham) has expressed happiness with International Hockey Federation’s first-ever ranking of Malawian teams.
The latest outdoor rankings have placed the Malawi men’s national hockey team on position 95 in the world and 10th in Africa with 253.92 points.
The Malawi women’s national team is ranked 78th in the world and also 10th in Africa, having amassed 331.02 points.
The rankings come in the wake of the country’s hosting of the Africa Cup Club Championship in November last year.
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Malawi also participated in the East and Central Africa qualifying games, in September 2022, which Zimbabwe hosted.
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Ham General Secretary Geoff Biya said the country can improve its world ranking by participating in more international competitions.
“As an association, we are happy that Malawi hockey has been ranked for the first time. This shows that despite facing many challenges, there has been progress. We have been dreaming of this day, and overall, we are happy that Malawi hockey is now on the world map. We hope for more international competitions, especially with under-21 teams, to improve our ranking,” Biya told Malawi National Council of Sports’ website.
The rankings have placed the Netherlands on position one in the world among men’s teams with 3,161.38 points.
Belgium are second with 2,948.16 points while Australia lie third with 2,906.22 points.
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The women’s category also has the Netherlands on top spot with 3,583.05 points, followed by Argentina who have 2,927.38 points.
Germany are third after amassing 2,831.99 points.
South Africa are ranked number one in Africa in the men’s category and 14th in the world with 1,912.96 points.
Taking up second position on the continent and 17th in the world are Egypt with 1,712.31 points while Ghana are third in Africa and 34th in the world with 1,139.03 points.
In the women’s category, South Africa are ranked first in Africa and 18th in the world with 1,499.65 points while Ghana come second and 31st in the world with 994.59 points.
On third position on the continent and 33rd in the world are Kenya with 977.46 points.
