Fiji earned gold in the recent hockey fives event in Sydney ©Oceania Hockey Federation

Fiji could miss out on competing in the hockey tournaments at next year's Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast because a lack of funding my damage their chances of qualifying.

The Fiji Hockey Federation have only been able to send teams to two competitions this year.

Their men’s squad competed at the Hockey World League Round 2 in Bangladesh, where they suffered defeat in each of their matches.

Fiji’s women’s team enjoyed better fortunes at the Oceania InterContinental Hockey Fives tournament last month.

The event in Sydney, featuring a smaller format of the game with five players on each side, saw Fiji emerge as the winners.

They overcame Samoa 5-2 in the gold medal match.

The redeveloped Gold Coast Hockey Centre was opened in June ©Twitter/Peter Beattie
The redeveloped Gold Coast Hockey Centre was opened in June ©Twitter/Peter Beattie

Fiji need to be one of the top 10 ranked teams to compete for the Commonwealth Games.

Robin Mitchell, President of the Fiji Hockey Federation and Oceania National Olympic Committees, admitted the funding had caused problems preparing for Gold Coast 2018, due to take place between April 4 and 15. 

"It is those little things which add up that we have to address," he told the Fiji Times.

"We would prefer to have money because there are also ongoing programmes.

"We couldn't afford to send the men to Sydney, however they have a lower ranking and are a long shot in qualifying.

"It is very expensive to send away a team because unlike the Olympics, there is no subsidy."