The Rio 2016 Games may come to represent a milestone in the history of Brazilian hockey. With an active national hockey team since 1998, the country is working hard in order to make their debut on the Olympic pitch in Rio de Janeiro. In addition, it is in Deodoro, the home of the sport for the 2016 Games, that the Brazilian players are waging daily battles - under the sun – in order to qualify. (Photo gallery: Brazilian hockey players in Deodoro)

In spite of hosting the Games in 2016, Brazil is not sure of having a place in the hockey competitions. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) established goals for Brazil’s national teams, which, if achieved, will be rewarded with an Olympic place. Regarding the men’s competition, the national team coached by Claudio Rocha must be among the top 30 in the ranking to qualify. Currently, it is number 33.

“We have a good chance of qualifying. Since the International Federation announcement, we have already climbed several positions in the ranking and the team continues to evolve. Some players compete in the national leagues of some of the leading countries in hockey, like England, the Netherlands and Germany, and this raises our national team’s level”, says midfielder Matheus Borges, 20, considered the best Brazilian hockey player in 2013.

Matheus plays in Germany and says the fact that the national team train in Deodoro, where the Olympic Hockey Centre hosting the Rio 2016 competitions will be built, already makes them feel closer to the competition.

“We began training in Deodoro in 2007, when the pitch was built for the Pan American Games. Whenever I come to train, the Olympic Games come to mind. There is not a single training day that I don't think of Rio 2016”, he says.

Regarding women’s competitions, the aim established by FIH is to stay below number 40 in the international ranking. The team coached by Eduardo Martins is currently at number 41. For Patricia Boos, from the state of Santa Catarina, the 2014 season will be decisive in order to qualify.

“2014 is a very important year in order for us to qualify for the Rio Games. In September, we will host a stage of the World League that is worth points in the ranking and we may climb even higher. Last year, we hosted a stage of the competition in Deodoro and had good performances against the United States and Uruguay. In March, at the South American Games in Chile, we will try to consolidate ourselves as the third power in the continent, behind Argentina and Chile. Both are important competitions for us to show our progress”, explained the midfielder.

Irrespective of Brazil’s participation, the legacy for the sport is already assured by the Rio 2016 Games, as the Olympic Hockey Centre will be used as a training centre after the event. Construction is expected to begin this year and completion is scheduled for the end of 2015.

“In addition to the legacy of the Olympic Hockey Centre, which will include two further training grounds for the national teams, two further official pitches at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro will be built because of the Games. These initiatives will help make hockey more popular in Brazil and it would be great if other Brazilian states also invested in new pitches”, highlighted the captain of Brazil’s national team.

Argentine Pablo Lombi guides Brazilian athletes during a training session in Deodoro (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)

To secure passage to the Rio 2016 Games, the Confederação Brasileira de Hóquei Sobre Grama (Brazilian Hockey Confederation) is betting on an Argentine with Olympic experience. Pablo Lombi, 44, a member of Argentina’s national team in Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996, and coach at the London 2012 Games, has been working together with the Brazilian technical commission since December 2013 as training coordinator for both the men’s and women’s national teams.

“Brazilian hockey can develop a lot regarding technique and tactics, and we’re working for that. The men are one step ahead of the women, who still need to work hard in order to develop themselves. Participating in the Rio Games will be essential in order to increase the players’ experience and to popularise the sport, encourage new people to practise it and increase the options of Brazil’s national team as well”, said the Argentine.

On 6-16 March both the men’s and women’s national teams compete in the tenth edition of the South American Games in Chile. In the last edition of the competition, the men’s national team made it to the podium in third place while the women’s team finished fourth.