A PLACE remains open for the South Africa men’s hockey team at this year’s Sydney Olympics even though the squad has been withdrawn by its own national Olympic association. In a statement from its Brussels headquarters on Tuesday the International Hockey Federation said talks are still being held between the South Africa Hockey Association and the country’s sports authorities. It said the number of qualifiers from the pre-Olympic tournament starting in Osaka, Japan, on Wednesday will remain at six while the discussions are being held and not seven as had been speculated. South Africa have qualified for the Olympics as All Africa Games winners. But National Olympic Comittee of South Africa (NOCSA) secretary-general Dan Moyo said last month the team would not be entered for Sydney because it was unlikely to finish in the top nine.